The Toronto Blue Jays have signed veteran reliever Francisco Cordero to a $4.5-million, one-year contract.
The 36-year-old right-hander was 5-3 with 37 saves last season for the Cincinnati Reds. He posted a 2.45 earned-run average and held opponents to a .198 batting average.
The signing was formally announced in a team release Wednesday, a week after several media outlets reported the sides had agreed to a deal.
It's the latest move in the Jays' bullpen overhaul this off-season. General manager Alex Anthopoulos acquired closer Sergio Santos and reliever Jason Frasor in separate deals with the Chicago White Sox and recently added free agent southpaw Darren Oliver.
Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco shared the closer's role last season with mixed results. Both pitchers have since signed with the New York Mets.
Cordero, a six-foot-three, 245-pound native of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, has recorded at least 30 saves in seven of his 13 big-league seasons. He is 12th on the all-time list with 327 career saves.
Cordero has a career record of 44-45 with a 3.17 ERA. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Jays designated outfielder Darin Mastroianni for assignment.