Cubs sign reliever Ryan to minor-league deal

As expected, the Cubs on Thursday signed left-handed reliever B.J. Ryan to a minor-league contract.

The 33-year-old former closer was released last week by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ryan will report to the Cubs' spring-training facility in Mesa, Ariz., on Sunday, and when he's ready he'll go to Class AAA Iowa.

The Blue Jays are on the hook for almost all of the $15 million owed to Ryan through the end of next season. The Cubs will have to pay him only a prorated share of the major-league minimum salary for the rest of this year and the minimum next year, if they keep him.

"What's great is he wants to do it the right way - he wants to go to Mesa," assistant general manager Randy Bush told cubs.com in Washington, where the Cubs opened a four-game series against the Nationals.

"He wants to work on his delivery - When he's ready to go, that's when he'll go to Iowa."

In 25 games this year, Ryan was 1-1 with a 6.53 ERA and 2 saves in 4 chances. His WHIP (walks plus hits per 1 inning pitched) was a high 1.89. Ryan had 32 saves last year. For his career, he is 21-28 with 117 saves and a 3.37 ERA.

Santo still out: Radio analyst Ron Santo did not make the trip to Washington as he recovers from a kidney infection that sidelined him on the recent homestand. Keith Moreland filled in for Santo.

Santo told the WGN radio pregame show that he's "feeling much better" and that "as soon as you guys get back (to Chicago), I'll be back."