Joey Gathright swiped a career-high 21 bases in 2007 with the Royals.

BY WEB STAFF
sportsnet.ca

The Blue Jays are interested in free-agent outfielder Joey Gathright.

Gathright, 28, has played six years in the majors, appearing in 17 games with the Boston Red Sox this season.

"Gathright is a player that we're interested in. That's all I can say," Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava told MLB.com on Thursday. "We haven't been able to secure him yet, but I think a lot of teams are interested in Gathright."

Earlier reports had indicated the Jays had signed Gathright.

Despite the Roy Halladay rumour mill that churned the annual MLB event, Jays GM Alex Anthopolous was not able to deal the ace. The first-year GM will continue to field offers up until spring training, the deadline set by Halladay to discuss a move out of Toronto.

The Jays also selected RHP Zech Zinicola from the Washington Nationals organization in the Rule 5 Draft.

Zinicola , 24, opened the 2009 season with Harrisburg of the Eastern League (AA) where he posted a 1-1 record with a 1.74 ERA and five saves in 17 relief appearances. The 6-1, 220 lb. right-handed pitcher then appeared in 26 games for Syracuse of the International League (AAA) posting an 0-1 record with a 7.56 ERA.