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In August 2013, Andrew Albers pitched eight and one-third innings of shutout ball for the Minnesota Twins in one of the best major league debuts by a Canadian in history.Orlin Wagner/The Associated Press

As anticipated, the Toronto Blue Jays have signed lefthanded pitcher Andrew Albers to a minor league contract with an invitation to attend Major League spring training, the baseball club announced on Friday.

Albers, 29, is from North Battleford, Sask., and he will be joining a Blue Jays team that has already added a couple of Canadian-born additions during the off-season in catcher Russell Martin (Toronto) and outfielder Michael Saunders (Victoria).

Albers pitched last season with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization where he posted a 6-13 record with a 5.89 earned run average.

In 2013, Albers made 10 starts for the Minnesota Twins, going 2-5 with a 4.05 ERA.

Later on Friday, the Blue Jays claimed lefthanded pitcher Juan Oramas off waivers from the San Diego Padres.

The 24-year-old has spent all eight of his professional seasons in the San Diego system, compiling a 47-29 record with a 3.40 ERA in 158 games (111 starts) – all at the minor league level.

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