Toronto Blue Jays claim Brad Mills from Oakland Athletics

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays have claimed left-hander Brad Mills off waivers from the Oakland Athletics, after he was designated for assignment earlier this month to clear a roster spot for right-hander Jason Hammel, who was acquired in an early July trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Mills struggled with Oakland this season, allowing eight earned in 16 1/3 innings. He struck out 14 and walked seven during that span. The 29-year-old lefty has never been able to find a good rhythm with a big league club, and has a career earned run average of 6.98 in 18 games. He pitched for the Blue Jays for three seasons, from 2009 to 2011, going 2-3 with an astronomical 8.57 ERA in 48 1/3 innings. During that stretch, he allowed 57 hits and 46 earned runs.

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As pointed out by MLB Trade Rumors, prior to his time with the Athletics, the southpaw was sharp for the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate, posting a 1.56 earned run average in 75 innings of work.

What role Mills will have in Toronto remains to be seen, given he is out of options. The rotation doesn’t have any glaring vacancies and he could be a long-relief man for the Jays, but that will likely be determined in the coming days.