MLB PLAYER NEWS

Blue Jays, Estrada agree to two-year deal

The Sports Xchange

November 13, 2015 at 4:21 pm.

Oct 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) reacts with catcher Dioner Navarro (30) during the eighth inningin game five of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) reacts with catcher Dioner Navarro (30) during the eighth inningin game five of the ALCS at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Right-hander Marco Estrada agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays instead of exploring free agency.

Estrada will sign a two-year, $26 million deal with the team, trumping the one-year, $15.8 million qualifying offer Toronto had extended.

Estrada emerged as a solid starter in 2015 for a Toronto club that reached the American League Championship Series. He went 12-8 and ranked fifth in the AL with a 3.13 ERA and also experienced a strong postseason.

Estrada has a career mark of 36-34 with a 3.95 ERA.

The Blue Jays are limited on rotation options with David Price and Mark Buehrle ticketed for the open market. The Blue Jays previously picked up the 2016 team option on knuckleballer R.A. Dickey’s deal and right-hander Marcus Stroman also returns.