The Toronto Blue Jays have signed veteran reliever Caleb Freeman to a minor-league deal, the club announced via its transaction log on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Freeman previously spent his entire career with the Chicago White Sox after being selected in the 19th round of the 2019 draft. Six years later, the right-hander made his major league debut, which came in Kansas City against the Royals on May 5.

In five games with the White Sox, Freeman allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three across 3.1 innings. He split most of last season between Double-A and Triple-A, logging 50.2 innings, pitching to a 4.26 ERA and 5.13 FIP with a troubling 5.7 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate.

Controlling the strike zone has been his biggest weakness in the past, posting double-digit walk rates at every minor league level he’s appeared at since issuing a 7.1 per cent clip at Double-A in 2021.

Freeman, who still holds a pair of minor-league options, was outrighted off Chicago’s 40-man roster after clearing waivers last June. Shortly after last off-season began, he elected for free agency and remained unsigned prior to catching on with Toronto.

Presumably, the former White Sox hurler’s new deal includes an invitation to spring training, so he’ll likely arrive at the club’s player development complex in Dunedin, Fla., in the next week or so. From there, he’ll meet with the organization’s pitching department and continue building up ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Assuming Freeman remains with the organization through Opening Day, he’ll likely join the glut of Triple-A reliever depth that currently includes the likes of Chase Lee, Jorge Alcala, Josh Fleming, Jesse Hahn, Ryan Jennings, Nate Garkow, Tanner Andrews and Joe Mantiply.