Urshela has short work in his debut

There is a breadth of depth at third base in the Blue Jays organization, with Josh Donaldson holding down the spot, Vladimir Guerrero Jr waiting in the wings, and Yangervis Solarte and Russell Martin proving reliable options.

But Gio Urshela likes his new opportunity with Toronto, even if it might involve moving away from the position he is most familiar with.

“It’s a big chance for me to keep building my career,” the 26-year-old said.

Toronto acquired Urshela from Cleveland for cash considerations Wednesday after he was designated for assignment by the Indians. He was activated for his first game Saturday, his arrival delayed by visa issues. Outfielder Dalton Pompey was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the 25-man roster.

Urshela hit .225/.273/.314 in 148 big-league games with the Indians. After starting this season on the disabled list, he hit .324 with an .837 OPS in 11 games with Triple-A Columbus.

Considered a utility infielder, Urshela has developed a reputation for solid defence on the hot corner. But it’s elsewhere that he believes he could make his mark in Toronto, be it shortstop or second base, where he has played six and four majorleague games, respectively.

“I signed as a shortstop, I’ve played shortstop, it’s not that hard for me,” Urshela said.

He played there Saturday, going 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout before he was replaced by pinch-hitter Richard Urena in the seventh inning of a 5-2 loss to Boston. Martin was at third base on Saturday, with Donaldson serving as the designated hitter.

Toronto has cycled through a number of middle infielders this year, an area the club had looked to improve over the offseason. Solarte and Devon Travis, now in Buffalo, have both manned second base. Aledmys Diaz, on the disabled list after spraining his ankle last week, held down shortstop when he was healthy, filling in for Troy Tulowitzki. Diaz is throwing and should begin hitting next week, but he is not yet running.

And Urena, Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Gift Ngoepe, also in Triple-A, have seen time at both positions. Manager John Gibbons saw Urshela at third base in Cleveland and hopes Toronto can benefit from the Colombia native’s good glove. “We’ve heard a lot of good things.”