JAYS SIGN LHP AARON LAFFEY

By ROCKET SPORTS and ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK on January 2, 2012

Saturday, December 31, 2011 courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have signed LHP AARON LAFFEY to a minor league contract with an invite to attend Major League spring training.

LAFFEY, 26, began last season with the Seattle Mariners prior to being claimed on waivers by the New York Yankees on August 19, where he spent the balance of 2011. Overall the Cumberland, Maryland native posted a 3-2 record with a 3.88 ERA in 47 relief appearances, while holding left-handed hitters to a .242 average. The 6-0, 200 lb. left-hander has appeared for three teams (Cleveland, 2007-10, Seattle-2011 & the Yankees-2011) over a five year career, recording 21-23 record with one save and a 4.34 ERA in 126 games, including 49 starts.

The Blue Jays have also signed the following minor league free agents with invitations to attend the Major League spring training camp with the Blue Jays;

RHP JERRY GIL, 29, posted a 5-6 record in 54 relief appearances with a 3.59 ERA last season with Louisville of the International League (AAA). The 6-3, 210 lb. native of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic allowed 53 hits in 62.2 innings with 29 walks and 58 strikeouts.

RHP GARRET MOCK, 28, posted a combined record of 1-5 last season with a 6.39 ERA while pitching with four different teams. The 6-4, 230lb. native of Houston, Texas recorded 51 strikeouts in 49.1 innings last season.

RHP ROBERT COELLO, 27, was a combined 7-8 last season with one save and a 4.19 ERA in 34 games with 15 starts between Tennessee (AA) and Iowa (AAA). The 6-5, 250 lb. native of Bayonne, New Jersey held opponents to a .241 batting average.

SS BRIAN BOCOCK, 26, appeared in 97 games last season batting .227 with four home runs and 29 RBI in both the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh organizations. The 5-11, 185 lb. right-handed hitter has appeared in 38 Major League games batting .134 with two RBI for San Francisco (2008) and Philadelphia (2010).