Angels signed LHP Justin Thomas to a minor league contract.

It's not clear whether he's been invited to spring training. Thomas posted a 4.48 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 16 starts at Triple-A for the A's last season before finishing the year in Japan. He'll almost surely begin 2014 in the minors.

Justin Thomas has agreed to a deal with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League.

The left-hander made that announcement on his personal Twitter feed Monday morning. Thomas was released by the A's on July 1 after posting an underwhelming 4.48 ERA and 1.49 WHIP across 16 starts at Triple-A Sacramento. He'll try to revitalize his career overseas.

Athletics released LHP Justin Thomas.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle speculates that Thomas probably exercised an opt-out clause in his contract. The left-hander posted a 4.48 ERA over 16 starts at Triple-A Sacramento. He shouldn't have trouble catching on elsewhere.

Athletics signed LHP Justin Thomas to a minor league contract.

Thomas pitched pretty well in the minors in 2012 but flopped in seven major league appearances. He'll give the A's a left-handed bullpen arm at Triple-A.

Justin Thomas has elected free agency.

Thomas was outrighted off the 40-man roster by the Yankees earlier this month but has refused it and will test free agency instead. He'll likely get a minor league invite somewhere.

Yankees sent LHP Justin Thomas outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Thomas cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 28-year-old southpaw posted a 9.00 ERA in four appearances with the Bombers this season.

Yankees designated LHP Justin Thomas for assignment.

Thomas posted a 9.00 ERA in four appearances this season with the Yankees. He is getting the boot to clear a 40-man roster spot for the return of David Aardsma.

Yankees recalled LHP Justin Thomas from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Thomas was claimed off waivers earlier this season and will be making his Yankees debut if he enters a game. The Yankees figure to use him in mopup situations.

Red Sox optioned LHP Justin Thomas to Triple-A Pawtucket.

As expected. Thomas posted a 7.71 ERA and 2.57 WHIP while allowing 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings with the Sox. He'll be replaced by Rich Hill.

Red Sox signed LHP Justin Thomas to a minor league contract.

Thomas didn't appear in the major leauges at all during the 2011 season and won't have an easy time breaking into the Red Sox 'pen. He turns 28 years old in January.

Pirates reassigned LHP Justin Thomas, RHP Fernando Nieve to minor league camp.

Thomas finished with a brutal 6.23 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 13 innings for the Pirates last season and gave them no reason to think that he would do any better if given a major league bullpen gig this year. He should get another shot down the road.

Pirates re-signed LHP Justin Thomas to a minor league contract.

The deal comes with an invitation to spring training, where Thomas will have an outside shot at claiming a spot in the Pirates' 2011 bullpen. He posted an ugly 6.23 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 13 innings this year.

Pirates sent LHP Justin Thomas outright to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Thomas was on a constant shuttle from the minors to majors this year and finished with an ugly 6.23 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 13 innings of work. The 26-year-old lefty will try for a bullpen spot again next spring.

Pirates recalled LHP Justin Thomas from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Thomas, a 26-year-old southpaw, has an ugly 6.75 ERA in eight appearances this season with the Pirates. He'll be used purely in middle relief.

Pirates recalled LHP Justin Thomas from Triple-A Indianapolis.

A recent conversion to relief has worked well for Thomas in the minor leagues, where he's currently sporting a strikeout rate of 8.5 and a walk rate of 1.7. If he can keep the walks down and strike out more than seven batters per nine, he'll probably be a viable lefty reliever. He's probably not going to be a candidate to close games any time soon, however.

Pirates optioned LHP Justin Thomas to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Thomas goes to make room for Chan Ho Park. He allowed six runs in 8 2/3 innings for the Pirates.

Pirates recalled LHP Justin Thomas from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Thomas has given up six runs over five innings in his time with the big club this year, but he's pitched well at Triple-A, boasting a 2.63 ERA and 38/6 K/BB rate over 41 innings. He'll given manager John Russell another left-handed option out of the pen.

Pirates optioned LHP Justin Thomas to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The left-handed Thomas allowed six earned runs in five big league innings. He has posted some rather impressive minor league numbers this season at Indianapolis and could be brought back to the majors later this year if that success at the Triple-A level continues.

Pirates purchased the contract of LHP Justin Thomas from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Thomas has an excellent 1.30 ERA to go along with a near-spotless 34/3 K/BB ratio over 34 2/3 innings this season. The 26-year-old southpaw hasn't appeared in the majors since he posted a 6.75 ERA over eight relief appearances with the Mariners in 2008.