League signs on with Blue Jays for 2009
Right-handed reliever posted 2.18 earned-run average last season
Last Updated: Monday, January 19, 2009 | 2:24 PM ET
CBC Sports
Blue Jays' Brandon League allowed just 28 hits with 23 strikeouts in 33 innings last season. (Mike Carlson/Canadian Press)Brandon League should have plenty of motivation when he reports to Toronto Blue Jays spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Feb. 16.
The hard-throwing reliever will be pitching for a contract, having signed a $640,000 US contract on Monday for the 2009 season.
League, 25, will also be in a position battle for one of the setup jobs to closer B.J. Ryan.
Last season, League posted a 1-2 record, 2.18 earned-run average and one save in 31 relief appearances.
The resident of Honolulu allowed just 28 hits in 33 innings with 15 walks and 23 strikeouts.
In parts of five major-league seasons, all with the Blue Jays, the six-foot-two right-hander is 4-4 with six saves and a 4.81 ERA in 101 games.
The Blue Jays have five arbitration-eligible players remaining who have yet to agree to terms for the 2009 season: relievers Jeremy Accardo, Shawn Camp, Jason Frasor and Brian Tallet, along with infielder Jose Bautista.
J.P. Ricciardi hasn't gone to arbitration with a player since assuming the role of general manager in 2001.
