The Toronto Blue Jays added some much-needed outfield depth Wednesday, agreeing to terms with centre fielder Ezequiel Carrera on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.
Carrera, a 27-year-old who bats from the left side, is tentatively positioned to compete with Kevin Pillar and Dalton Pompey for playing time in left and centre field in 2015. The Blue Jays have just three outfielders on their 40-man roster after non-tendering John Mayberry Jr. and Andy Dirks: Pillar, Pompey and Jose Bautista.
Carrera debuted with the 2011 Cleveland Indians before appearing with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013 and the Detroit Tigers in 2014. A lifetime .253/.305/.340 hitter, Carrera has two home runs in 478 plate appearances against big-league pitching.
The Venezuela native spent most of the 2014 season with the triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, earning mid-season and post-season all-star berths in the International League. He batted .307 with 15 doubles and a league-leading 43 stolen bases in 97 games.
Carrera has experience at all three outfield positions and a flair for the dramatic, as he proved in Yankee Stadium last summer.
Carrera initially signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 2005.
