Following today’s 5-1 Spring Training win over the Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that veteran infielder Eduardo Escobar has been granted his release and is currently heading back to free agency.
Escobar was informed by manager John Schneider earlier today that he would not be making the team to start the year and as a player with enough years of service as per Article XX(B), he has the option to opt out of his contract with the Jays as a veteran player in camp on a Minor League deal.
This spring, Escobar struggled to find consistency at the plate through 41 at-bats, collecting just five hits (three of which were for extra bases) with seven RBIs, one walk, and 17 strikeouts. Defensively, the Blue Jays had Escobar splitting time between third base and second with a small sample in left field but the Venezuelan product was unable to put himself in a position to make the big league roster.
Blue Jays NRI Eduardo Escobar granted his release
For his career, Escobar has one All-Star appearance (2021) under his belt and owns a career .253/.305/.430 slash line through 13 seasons, posting a .735 OPS with stints across six different organizations. Last season, the 35-year-old split the campaign with the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Angels, suiting up in 99 contests and amassing 31 RBIs to the tune of a .613 OPS.
This spring, the competition was tough for a spot on the Blue Jays bench, as the spots are limited amongst a horde of internal candidates such as Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, Addison Barger, Orelvis Martinez, Damiano Palmegiani, and fellow non-roster invitees Joey Votto and Daniel Vogelbach.
With Opening Day under a week away and Santiago Espinal no longer on the squad, all signs are pointing to Clement and Vogelbach finding a spot on the roster. The Jays also appear to need a roster spot for Brian Serven, who will likely fill in with Danny Jansen still recovering from a broken bone in his right wrist, an injury he suffered earlier in Spring Training.
Opening Day is slated for March 28th, when the Blue Jays face the Tampa Bay Rays on the road at Tropicana Field.
Tyson Shushkewich is a contributor at the Blue Jays Nation. He can be followed on X or Instagram at Tyson_MLB or reached via email at Tyson_MLB@hotmail.com
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