The Blue Jays announced that they signed five players to minor league deals that include invitations to MLB Spring Training. They signed right-hander Claudio Vargas, right-hander Rich Thompson, left-hander Juan Perez, third baseman Eugenio Velez and, as first reported by Jon Paul Morosi, first baseman/DH Luis Jimenez.
Vargas, 34, has experience in parts of eight MLB seasons, though he hasn't appeared in the big leagues since 2010. He has a career 4.83 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 as a starter and reliever. Thompson, 28, pitched well out of the bullpen for the Angels in 2011, but appeared in just three games this past season. Perez appeared in ten games with the Brewers in 2012, striking out and walking more than one batter per inning. The 30-year-old Velez has five years of MLB experience with the Dodgers and Giants, but he last appeared in the big leagues in 2011. Lastly, the Blue Jays signed Jimenez, who made his MLB debut in 2012, appearing in seven games with the Mariners.
