Blue Jays sign four pitchers to Minor League deals

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays announced Tuesday that they have signed right-hander Scott Copeland to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

Copeland split last season between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo. He went a combined 11-9 with a 3.44 ERA in 31 games (26 starts).

The 26-year-old joined Buffalo late in the season and threw seven shutout innings in each of his first two outings. Copeland earned International League Pitcher of the Week honors for Aug. 11-17, and he likely will find himself back with the Bisons in 2015.

Toronto also signed right-handers Bobby Korecky, Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Mike Lee to Minor League contracts. Korecky was the Bisons' Most Valuable Pitcher in 2014, and he was named a postseason International League All-Star after he posted 22 saves in 24 opportunities.

Bibens-Dirkx also split the 2014 season between Buffalo and New Hampshire. He was promoted to the Bisons on multiple occasions and went 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 17 games. Lee spent time in the D-backs' system before he was acquired by the Blue Jays in early August.

Copeland appears to be the most likely pitcher from the group to break into the Major Leagues, but all four pitchers figure to start the year in the Minors.