The view from the 500 level seating during the Toronto Blue Jays home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 13, 2015.Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail
In need of a left-handed reliever out of the bullpen, the Toronto Blue Jays have gone out and signed veteran Franklin Morales to a one-year, $2-million (U.S.) deal.
To make room on the 25-man roster, the American League club optioned righthander Ryan Tepera to its Triple-A team in Buffalo.
Morales, 30, appeared in 67 games with the World Champion Kansas City Royals last season, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.18 earned run average The left-hander held lefties to a .192 average in 2015.
With Aaron Loup starting the regular season on the disabled list with a sore elbow, the Blue Jays broke camp with Brett Cecil as their only lefthanded relief option available in the bullpen.
The Blue Jays begin the 2016 season Sunday afternoon here against the Tampa Bay Rays.