Rays sign former Blue Jay, four others By Sports Network

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays have signed former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dirk Hayhurst and four others to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.

In addition to Hayhurst, the Rays inked outfielder Chris Carter, infielders Ray Olmedo and Daniel Mayora as well as pitcher Jonah Bayliss.

Carter appeared in 100 games for the New York Mets last year and batted .263 with four homers and 24 runs batted in. He also hit .328 as a pinch-hitter.

Olmedo spent parts of four seasons with Cincinnati from 2003-06 and also played for Toronto in 2007, but spent last year at Triple-A Nashville in Milwaukee's organization. He appeared in 115 games for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham in 2009.

Mayora played for Colorado's Double-A affiliate in Tulsa last year, while Bayliss spent the 2010 campaign for Houston's Double-A team in Round Rock and Hayhurst did not pitch last year while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Bayliss and Hayhurst, both right-handers, have major league experience. The 30-year-old Bayliss has pitched in 61 games for Kansas City and Pittsburgh, while the 29-year-old Hayhurst appeared in 15 games for Toronto in 2009 and also had a brief stint with San Diego in 2008.