February 14, 2024
By Kevin Glew
Cooperstowners in Canada
The Toronto Blue Jays have traded Otto Lopez to the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations.
The Blue Jays announced the transaction on Tuesday afternoon.
Lopez had been designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on Friday to make room on their roster for Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez.
The versatile Lopez, who spent part of his youth in Montreal, batted .258 in 84 games with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 2023. He missed a large chunk of the season due to a left oblique strain. He joined the Bisons after going 5-for-17 (.294 batting average) with a home run and a team-leading six RBIs in four games for Canada at the World Baseball Classic.
Born in Santo Domingo, D.R., Lopez was signed as an international free agent by the Blue Jays prior to the 2017 season. He has hit well at every stop in the Blue Jays’ organization, registering a .298 batting average and a .364 OBP with 90 stolen bases in 510 minor league games.
The right-handed-hitting 25-year-old can play second base, shortstop and third base, as well as centre field.
He got into eight games with the Blue Jays in 2022 and went 6-for-9 (.667 batting average).
Balazovic invited to Twins’ big league camp
Less than a week after he was designated for assignment by the Minnesota Twins, right-hander Jordan Balazovic (Mississauga, Ont.) has been invited to the club’s big league spring training.
The 6-foot-5 right-hander was one of 19 players signed to minor league contracts that the Twins invited to big league camp on Tuesday.
After pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his major league debut for the Twins against the Detroit Tigers on June 18 last season, Balazovic proceeded to make 17 more big league appearances in 2023. In all, the former Ontario Blue Jays and Junior National Team hurler posted a 4.44 ERA and struck out 17 batters in 24 innings.
The 25-year-old also fanned 54 in 45 2/3 innings in 22 appearances for the triple-A St. Paul Saints.
Chosen in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Twins, the 6-foot-5 right-hander has pitched in parts of seven seasons in the Twins’ system.
Thanks for the update.
Thanks for reading this.
Lets hope Otto gets to show hit talents in the big leagues with the Giants.
Big strong Jordan will hopefully have a great spring with the Twins
Thanks for your comment, Scott. I’m hopeful for both of those things. 🙂