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As the reeling Blue Jays look to add some depth for the playoff push, the team has turned to a familiar face for some infield depth.
The team announced on Sunday that they’ve claimed infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who released the veteran last week.
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Kiner-Falefa was a popular player with the Jays last season, where he played 83 games before being dealt to the Pirates at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old, who spent most of his time here at third base with Toronto, has played in 901 big-league games over his eight seasons in the big leagues, lining up for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Jays and Pirates.
In his 119 games with the Pirates this season, Kiner-Falefa was having a decent year, hitting .264 with 23 extra-base hits, 35 RBI and 15 stolen bases.
The Jays will assume what’s left on Kiner-Falefa’s one-year, $7.5 million US contract and he is eligible to be on their playoff roster. That contract was one he originally signed with the Jays, a two-year, $15 million US deal prior to the 2024 season.
To make room for Kiner-Falefa on the roster, Yimi Garcia has been transferred to the 60-day injured list now that he is slated to have season-ending elbow surgery.
Picking up Kiner-Falefa is a low-risk move for the Jays and certainly adds some infield depth with the seasoned utility man. Ernie Clement was back in the Toronto lineup for Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, but has been banged up of late.
It is expected that Kiner-Falefa will rejoin the Jays in Cincinnati, where they begin a three-game series against the Reds on Monday afternoon.
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