Blue Jays bring back Axford on minor-league deal

The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor-league deal with right-hander John Axford.

"For me, it's home. I live in Burlington, so I'm not far from Toronto and spending as much time as I did (last year) with family, friend and my kids was perfect," Axford said Saturday, according to Scott Mitchell of TSN.

Axford's contract will pay him $1.65 million if he makes the big-league club.

The 35-year-old, Canadian-born right-hander mentioned earlier this week that he wanted to play for the Blue Jays in 2019.

He began the 2018 season with Toronto before he was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of July's non-waiver deadline.

In 45 appearances with the Blue Jays, Axford struck out 50 hitters in 51 innings, authoring a 4.41 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

After he was acquired by the Dodgers, Axford allowed seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. He missed a month of action between August and September after a comebacker fractured his right fibula.