Blue Jays acquire infielder Cliff Pennington from D-backs

Shi Davidi breaks down the latest move by the Blue Jays, bringing in Cliff Pennington to come off the bench.

NEW YORK – The Toronto Blue Jays acquired infielder Cliff Pennington from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor-league shortstop Dawel Lugo on Saturday, bolstering their middle infield while second baseman Devon Travis takes longer than expected to recover from a shoulder injury.

Pennington, 31, is a switch-hitter who can play second, short and third and will be used to complement Ryan Goins and help provide Troy Tulowitzki with the occasional day off.

A good defender with a bit of speed and the ability to work a walk, he’s slashing .237/.314/.281 in 72 games this season. Munenori Kawasaki is the current Blue Jays backup middle infielder.

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Travis has been on the disabled list since July 29, the second time he’s been sidelined by the injury. Manager John Gibbons said Saturday he’s making slow progress.

“I was thinking when it first happened he might need a game or two (of rehab) and he’d be ready to go not long after his 15 days are up,” said Gibbons. “But that’s not going to happen.”

Lugo, 20, spent most of the season at single-A Dunedin but posted a .550 OPS in 67 games, leading to a demotion back to low-A Lansing, where he’s posted a .799 OPS in 31 games.

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