TORONTO — Infielder/outfielder Danny Valencia and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera were designated for assignment as Toronto Blue Jays made a flurry of roster moves Saturday after a busy week of trade-deadline activity.
Toronto also added right-hander Mark Lowe and outfielder Ben Revere, acquired Friday from Seattle and Philadelphia, and recalled infielder Munenori Kawasaki from triple-A Buffalo.
Right-handed reliever Ryan Tepera was optioned to triple-A.
The team said both Valencia and Carrera will be placed on waivers. They will be eligible to be claimed on Monday.
Valencia was a productive offensive player for the Blue Jays, batting .296 with seven homers and 31 runs batted in. He became the odd man out after the Jays managed to swing the deadline deal for Revere.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Saturday that it was tough letting Valencia go, but manager John Gibbons wants Revere to play every day in left field. Revere was set to bat lead-off in his debut.
"I’m pretty upset by the move today. Never really saw it coming," Valencia posted on Twitter. "I loved playing here in Toronto! I’m gonna miss all my teammates/brothers!!!"
New ace David Price was all smiles seeing Valencia in the clubhouse upon his arrival. Valencia has hit .667 in 24 plate appearances against Price in the majors.
"Danny Valencia: I’m happy to wear the same jersey as that guy," Price said Friday night. "I feel like I kept him in the big leagues for a while. Not that he wouldn’t be in the big leagues if it wasn’t for me, but I didn’t hurt his case, for sure."
Carrera had three hits in Friday’s 7-6, 11-inning win over Kansas City, raising his average to .279.
Kawasaki is a versatile infielder who gives Toronto another option at second base after Devon Travis (left shoulder) was placed on the disabled list Friday, retroactive to July 29. Kawasaki was pencilled in to start at shortstop for Saturday’s game against Kansas City to give star infielder Troy Tulowitzki a day off.
