Blue Jays sign pitcher Jeff Francis to minor league deal with invite to spring training

In a move that adds to their pitching depth and gives a Canadian kid another chance, the Blue Jays have signed left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis to a minor league contract that includes an invite to major league camp.

Francis, 33, played for three teams in 2014, the Reds, Athletics, and Yankees. Between the three he made one start and 11 relief appearances and had 5.85 ERA over 20 innings.

His best season came with the Colorado Rockies in 2007 when he pitched 215 1/3 innings and posted a 4.22 ERA and a 3.8 fWAR while helping the Rockies reach the World Series, where they lost to the Red Sox.

The North Delta, B.C., native underwent shoulder surgery on his pitching arm after the 2008 season. He missed all of 2009 and has struggled to regain the form he displayed early in his career.

Odds are Francis will start 2015 in Triple-A and be a starter for the Buffalo Bisons, providing insurance for the Blue Jays should they suffer a rash of injuries at the major league level.

Toronto also announced they have claimed outfielder Andy Dirks off waivers from Detroit. Dirks, 28, did not play for the Tigers in 2014 after he had back surgery in March. From 2011-13 he hit .276/.332/.413 in 297 games with Detroit.