Axford hasn't been a full-time participant at the Rockies' spring camp for the last week after his two-year-old son, Jameson, was bitten twice in the foot by a rattlesnake, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Jameson remains under observation at a Phoenix-area hospital and is fortunately in stable condition, but the Rockies will give Axford all the time he needs to attend to the obviously concerning matter. Axford already solidified his roster spot early in camp, and is set to work as one of the primary setup men for closer LaTroy Hawkins this season. However, the right-hander's potential absence for Monday's opener against the Brewers may prompt the Rockies to keep Brooks Brown, Rafael Betancourt, or Scott Oberg around as a spare relief arm.

Axford has had his contract picked up by the Rockies.

Axford could now compete with LaTroy Hawkins for the closer role and conceivably win if he impresses the Colorado brass. The key will be regaining the snap in his curveball or further developing the cutter he began using in 2014.

Axford agreed to a minor league contract with the Rockies, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Axford was outrighted off of the Pirates' 40-man roster in November after 13 games with the club, posting a 4.09 ERA. He spent the majority of his 2014 season with the Indians, putting up a 3.92 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 43.2 innings. The 31-year-old will likely get a shot to make the big league club in spring training as a mid-inning option out of the bullpen.

Axford was outrighted off the Pirates' 40-man roster and will become a minor league free agent.

Axford has pitched on four teams over the past two seasons, and will look to join a fifth organization as a mid-inning righty out of the bullpen.

Axford has been designated for assignment by the Pirates.

The former closer made 13 appearances for the Pirates, compiling a 12:6 K:BB and allowing nine hits over 11 innings. He'll likely end up a free agent in the coming days, with the hope of latching a guaranteed deal somewhere for 2015.

Axford made his Pirates' debut Friday, striking out two in a perfect inning of work.

He put together a solid run at the end of last season after joining the Cardinals, and the Bucs are hoping lightning can strike twice for Axford. Even if he pitches well in a setup role though, don't look for him to challenge Mark Melancon for the closer spot.

The Indians have agreed to trade Axford to the Pirates, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports.

A four-run blowup against the Yankees last Friday proved a fitting end to the 31-year-old's tenure in Cleveland. Axford was removed from the closer role a little over a month into the season and ended up posting a 3.92 ERA and 1.47 WHIP across 49 appearances. He did show some improvement in July (2.00), and Pirates pitching coach Ray Searge has been known to work magic with struggling hurlers, but Axford isn't a threat to Mark Melancon.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Saturday that the team's eventual goal is to have John Axford return to the closer's role.

Francona did say that he likes how Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw are performing in the ninth inning and that a change isn't imminent. While Axford has pitched better in recent weeks, he still issues far too many walks to be trusted with the game on the line.

John Axford has been removed from the Indians' closer role.

Indians manager Terry Francona made that announcement on Saturday evening. Axford has an ugly 4.91 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 14 2/3 innings this season, and will pitch in mid-relief until he can get back on track. Francona said the Tribe will use a ninth-inning committee made up of Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Marc Rzepczynski, and Scott Atchison. Allen is probably the best guy to pick up in fantasy.

John Axford picked up the win with a scoreless ninth inning as the Indians walked off against the Twins on Wednesday.

Axford put runners on first and second with two outs after allowing a double and a walk in the top of the ninth inning, but was able to get Sam Fuld to foul out to end the threat. Mike Aviles knocked in the winning run in the bottom half of the inning, giving Axford his first win of the season.

John Axford took his third loss after giving up a solo homer in a scoreless game in the 10th inning Monday against the Twins.

Axford was pitching for the third straight day after also taking a blown save and a loss on Sunday. He was 9-for-10 in save chances with a 2.31 ERA as of two days ago, so he's not at an immediate risk of losing his job. The Indians do know that Cody Allen is their best reliever, but they'd just as soon leave Axford in the closer's role as long as he's adequate. Since Axford will need Tuesday off, perhaps Allen will get a save chance then.

John Axford blew his second save of the season when he served up a three-run homer to Dayan Viciedo in the ninth inning of Sunday's loss to the White Sox.

Axford entered with a two-run lead and promptly walked the first batter on four pitches. He then issued a one-out walk ahead of Viciedo's blast. Axford is leading the American League with nine saves, but he's been far from the best closer on the Junior Circuit, as he holds a 4.38 ERA and has walked nine over 12 1/3 innings. He should have some leash left, but Cody Allen remains a big threat to eventually take Axford's job.

John Axford collected his ninth save of the year as the Indians bested the White Sox on Saturday.

Axford retired all three batters he faced in the top of the ninth inning -- one via strikeout. The veteran righty is quietly leading the American League in saves and boasts an impressive 2.31 ERA in 11 2/3 frames.

John Axford skated on thin ice again but managed to nail down his sixth save with a scoreless frame in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays.

Axford gave up a couple singles and a walk to load the bases with Edwin Encarnacion with two outs. He got a gift called strike on a 3-0 count and eventually got E5 to ground out into the shift. While Ax has converted six saves in seven chances, he's walked seven in 7 2/3 innings and has a pedestrian 3.52 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Cody Allen -- who still hasn't given up a run -- continues to look like the best reliever Cleveland has.

John Axford bounced back from a blown save to pitch a scoreless ninth Wednesday against the Tigers.

Axford protected a one-run lead for his fifth save in six chances. He needs to cut down on the walks if he's going to remain successful; he's issued six in 6 2/3 innings this season.

John Axford gave up a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, blowing his first save and taking the loss against the White Sox.

Protecting a one-run lead, Axford walked Jordan Danks before Alexei Ramirez came up with one out. Ramirez took Axford deep to left for the walk-off shot, Axford's first home run allowed on the year. He'd gotten the save in his first four opportunities, so the right-hander will be allowed more than one bad outing before his job comes in jeopardy.

John Axford converted his fourth save in four tries Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning against the Padres.

It wasn't that easy, as Axford allowed a hit and a walk and then watched the runners move up to second and third with one out on a wild pitch. However, he then got bailed out by a terrible at-bat from Will Venable and followed that strikeout with a flyout to end it. While he's given up just one hit, Axford has walked five over 4 1/3 innings.

John Axford pitched a perfect fifth inning as the Indians defeated the Padres 12-7 on Wednesday.

Axford's career was revived in St. Louis last season. Now he is resuming his closing duties as an Indian. He has looked good in the Cactus League to date, posting a 2.25 ERA with six strikeouts in four innings.

John Axford allowed a solo home run in one inning of work as the Indians defeated the White Sox 5-4 on Tuesday.

Conor Gillaspie took him deep in the seventh inning. The good news is that Axford recorded two strikeouts in the effort, a good sign for the Indians' new closer.

John Lott of the National Post reports that during his time with the Cardinals in 2013, team coaches corrected a flaw in John Axford's delivery that had been tipping his pitches.

The Cardinals coaches filled Axford in on the secret that he had been tipping his pitches for years. Once the issue was brought to his attention and he tweaked his delivery, he posted a 1.74 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 11/3 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings at the end of the season, and followed that up with a strong performance in the playoffs. If the issue has indeed been corrected, look for the 30-year-old to rejoin the upper echelon of closers.