Blue Jays: Catcher Navarro returns in time for post-season eligibility
The Blue Jays re-acquired popular catcher Dioner Navarro from the Chicago White Sox for minor-league left-hander Colton Turner on Friday.
Navarro signed with the White Sox as a free agent in the off-season, for one year and $4 million, following two years with the Jays. In his two seasons in Toronto, he hit .267 with 17 homers and 89 RBIs as a catcher and DH.
Navarro becomes the third catcher on the Jays roster, but will be allowed 72 hours to report as per the MLB basic agreement — meaning that when R.A. Dickey makes his next start on Sunday, Josh Thole will catch him. Then, by the time Dickey makes his next start in September, the rosters will have expanded and both men can be included for the final month.
Last year, in a similar circumstance, the Jays optioned Thole to Class-A Bluefield of the South Atlantic League at the end of August to allow Drew Hutchison to pitch. But in this circumstance Thole has no options, meaning the Jays may have to release and then re-sign him, assuming he goes unclaimed.
Jays starter Russell Martin had been catching five of every six games in the month of August, ever since manager John Gibbons went to a six-man rotation. Navarro had excellent chemistry with Marco Estrada in 2015 as the Jays right-hander enjoyed a breakout season.
Navarro was batting .210 with six homers and 32 RBIs in 85 games.
“Lineup, comfort, ways that guys tend to work together is an added benefit,” Jays GM Ross Atkins said.
“(Navarro) coming into this environment, this should be a boost of energy for him coming into a contender. . . . As a catcher, he’s someone that studies pitchers, the way he’s attacked, others are attacked and has always had contributions that way.”
Navarro is expected to be activated Monday, when the Jays open a big three-game series against the Orioles in Baltimore.