MILWAUKEE - Senior Gunnar Eastman of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team has signed a minor league free agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
 
Eastman will travel to Florida this weekend before being assigned to a minor league affiliate of the Major League team.
 
"It has been a lifelong goal of mine to be able to play at the next level," Eastman said. "It was a great feeling getting that call from the Blue Jays and knowing I will get that opportunity. It's pretty crazy when you think you may never play the game you've been playing your whole life again, but one phone call can change that."
 
Eastman played a heavy role in the UWM bullpen as a senior, going 2-0 in a career-high 22 appearances, finishing second on the squad with a 2.45 ERA. In 22 innings of work, he struck out 18 batters and allowed opponents to bat just .203 on the year.
 
"He has worked hard to get this opportunity," UWM head coach Scott Doffek said. "He is a talented kid that will work hard and represent the Blue Jays in a professional manner. We could not be happier for him."
 
Eastman missed the 2012 season due to injury but appeared in 57 games overall in his career, making nine starts on his way to earning five victories. In 94.2 innings on the mound, he struck out 60 batters.