Bud

Norris

Norris was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training in January after he impressed during a workout at Rice University. The right-hander did not pitch at all in 2019 because of a forearm injury, and it seems likely the the 35-year-old won’t throw a competitive pitch for anyone in 2020 either.

Norris held a workout at Rice University on January 13 and apparently showed enough there to pique the interest of the Philadelphia front office. The veteran right-hander sat out the entire 2019 regular season after suffering a forearm injury at Blue Jays camp last March, but he was very effective as the Cardinals’ primary closer in 2018 and might have something left in the tank. 2020 will be his age-35 campaign.

Norris did not make an official appearance at any level of professional baseball in 2019 after suffering a forearm injury at Blue Jays camp in March. He’s said to be healthy now, though, and the veteran right-hander pitched very well at the back end of the Cardinals’ bullpen in 2018. He may be able to find a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Norris agreed to a minor league contract with Washington this past Tuesday, but during the pre-signing physical it became clear that the veteran right-hander was probably still a month away from being fully recovered from the forearm injury he suffered in Blue Jays camp this spring. Norris should be able to latch on with a team -- perhaps the Nats -- once he’s in better shape health-wise. The 34-year-old posted a 3.59 ERA and 67/21 K/BB ratio in 57 2/3 innings last season for the Cardinals while earning 28 saves.

It will be a minor league deal, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports. Norris inked a minor league pact with the Blue Jays back in February but was released a week ago. He figures to need a handful of minor league appearances before joining the Nats’ bullpen, but he could help them given their current relief struggles.

The Nationals’ bullpen has been a mess so far, so it only makes sense that they’d check in. Craig Kimbrel would really solidify things, but the Nationals remain mindful of the luxury tax threshold. Norris was released by the Blue Jays a week ago after dealing with a forearm injury in the spring, but he put up a 3.59 ERA with 28 saves and a 67/21 K/BB ratio over 57 2/3 innings with the Cardinals last season. If healthy, he should be a useful addition to most bullpens around the league.

This is quite a surprise, as Norris reworked his minor league contract with the Blue Jays last month so that he could rehab his forearm injury while still a member of the organization. Toronto isn’t exactly loaded with relief depth, either. The veteran right-hander should be able to find a new team quickly once he’s back to full health.

Norris didn’t sign until late February and made just three appearances during spring training. He’s currently sitting in the low-90s, which is a few ticks below his normal velocity, so the Blue Jays will wait until he’s back up in the mid-90s before they consider adding him to their bullpen.

Davidi reports the retention bonus is $100,000. Norris is currently dealing with forearm fatigue, and the retention bonus will keep him with Toronto. If they hadn’t have paid it, he would have been eligible to opt-out of the deal and become a free agent. Instead, the Blue Jays won’t have to add him to the 40-man roster until he’s fully healthy, but there’s likely another opt-out date for Norris this spring.

Norris had to be scratched from a scheduled Grapefruit League appearance on Thursday because of right forearm fatigue, but it appears he’ll be okay. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said that the team and Norris’ agent were in contract talks Friday, so it would appear they might be poised to officially add him to the 40-man roster.