Yanks Sign Luis Ayala

From John Paul Morosi:

The New York Yankees have reached agreement in principle on a minor-league contract with right-handed reliever Luis Ayala, sources told FOXSports.com this morning.

Ayala, 33, has received an invitation to the team’s major-league spring training, which begins next week, sources said.

The Yankees hope Ayala can continue the success he enjoyed while pitching in his native Mexico during the winter season. Including the Caribbean Series, which Mexico won, Ayala had a 1.99 ERA and 14 saves in 37 appearances.

He struck out 25 batters, against seven walks, in 40 2/3 innings this winter.

Ayala is coming off a regular season in which he had a 6.42 ERA in 36 outings at Class AAA affiliates of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.

Nothing too major here, just another "let's hope we get lucky" kind of move. Oh well, it can't hurt.