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Lefty Howell, righty Smith, Blue Jays finalize $3M million, 1-year deals

Lefty Howell, righty Smith, Blue Jays finalize $3M million, 1-year deals | iNFOnews.ca
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher J.P. Howell throws to the plate during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in Los Angeles on Sept. 21, 2016. The Toronto Blue Jays finalized one-year deals with left-hander J.P. Howell and right-hander Joe Smith on Thursday. Both contracts are for US$3 million. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Mark J. Terrill

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays finalized one-year deals with left-hander J.P. Howell and right-hander Joe Smith on Thursday.

Both contracts are for US$3 million.

The 33-year-old Howell pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2006-12, then spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was 1-1 last year with a 4.09 ERA, his highest since 2011. He struck out 44 and walked 15 in 50 2/3 innings.

Howell started his big league career with Kansas City in 2005 and has a 35-29 record with a 3.77 ERA in 33 starts and 498 relief appearances.

Smith split 2016 between the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs, going 2-5 with a 3.46 earned-run average over 52 innings.

Toronto designated catcher A.J. Jimenez for assigment to make room for Smith on the 40-man roster and desingated left-hander Chad Girodo for Howell’s roster spot.

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