Blue Jays: Bud Norris declines opt-out, stays with team

Blue Jays pitcher Bud Norris was present in Dunedin Friday, meaning he did not exercise the opt-out contained in his MiLB deal.

Relief pitcher Bud Norris, who signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on March 6, will not exercise the opt-out included in his deal, according to Laura Armstrong of The Toronto Star.

Armstrong, and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, also add that Norris’ previously reported injury is nothing to be concerned about, with the latter describing it as “usual spring soreness”.

Finally, Davidi says that general manager Ross Atkins will reserve any final roster decisions (including whether or not Norris cracks the roster) until the team’s annual exhibition s

eries in Montreal, which this year will take place on March 25 and 26. Atkins described Norris’ fatigue as “pretty routine”.

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Norris, 34, would earn $3 million if he makes the major-league roster, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported shortly after the deal was reportedly agreed upon earlier this month.

Last season, the native of Greenbrae, California pitched to an ERA of 3.59 with the St. Louis Cardinals, racking up 28 saves while serving as the team’s primary closer.

From 2012 to 2017, he pitched to a cumulative 4.58 ERA in 768.1 frames, splitting time with the Orioles, Angels, Braves, Padres, Dodgers, and Astros.

Scott MacArthur of Sportsnet FAN 590 was among those to point out that Norris will be the Blue Jays’ primary setup man this season, if healthy. With fellow righties Ryan Tepera and John Axford also potentially out long-term with injuries, Norris becomes even more important in front of closer Ken Giles.

This spring, Norris has appeared in two games, tossing two scoreless frames and striking out two and walking one. He will also, per The Athletic’s John Lott, pitch in Sunday’s game in Montreal against Milwaukee.