The Blue Jays have signed Derek Holland to a minor-league deal

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Cam Lewis | Last updated 5/4/22

Just after the Blue Jays released Dexter Fowler, the team has inked another veteran to a minor-league deal.

This time it’s left-handed pitcher Derek Holland that’ll be joining the Blue Jays, according to himself on Twitter (he confirmed later in the thread it’s a minor-league deal)…

#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/py3yhpqpc1

— Derek Holland (@Dutch_Oven45) May 4, 2022

Holland is mostly known for his time pitching for the Texas Rangers, as he made his debut with them in 2009 and logged 985 innings between then and 2016. He pitched against the Blue Jays in the playoffs once, as he was the starter for the Rangers in Texas for Game 4, the game right before the bat flip.

At this stage of his career, Holland is hanging on as a reliever. Last season, he tossed 49 2/3 innings over 39 appearances for the Detroit Tigers, posting a 5.07 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 20 walks. He joined the Boston Red Sox on a minor-league deal, pitched 11 1/3 innings for their Triple-A team, and was released on Tuesday.

It makes sense that the Blue Jays are adding a veteran lefty to the mix. Tim Mayza has been the team’s only consistent left-handed weapon out of the ‘pen this season, as Ryan Borucki has been on the Injured List twice, Tayler Saucedo and Andrew Vasquez have struggled, and Anthony Kay has a 16.20 ERA in Triple-A.

Depth is never a bad thing to have!