Blue Jays add pitching depth with Oberholtzer

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Blue Jays added a potential piece to their bullpen on Wednesday afternoon by signing left-hander Brett Oberholtzer to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Oberholtzer spent the first three years of his Major League career as a starter, but he transitioned to the bullpen in 2016. He pitched for the Angels and Phillies, but he struggled with a 5.89 ERA over 70 1/3 innings, with all but two of his 37 appearances in relief.

“Experience, his desire to be here,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said when asked what sparked his club’s interest. “It was a guy that we targeted early. We were aggressive in going after him and got on the phone with him, explained our opportunity. We feel like we have a good one for a guy in a situation like his.”

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Oberholtzer is expected to compete for a bullpen job alongside fellow lefties Matt Dermody, Chad Girodo and Aaron Loup. The Blue Jays have four or five spots up for grabs in the ‘pen, which is one reason why the situation is so appealing for a guy like Oberholtzer, who is looking to rebound from a rough year.

The 27-year-old Oberholtzer has pretty even splits throughout his career. Righties own a …

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