THE CANADIAN PRESS

DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays cleared up some of their logjam at catcher Friday by dealing Curtis Thigpen to the Oakland Athletics for a player to be named or cash.

Once considered the team’s catcher in the future, Thigpen had been in the running for the backup job behind starter Rod Barajas but was assigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.

That leaves Michael Barrett or Raul Chavez, both non-roster invitees, to fill the backup spot. With playing time in the minors devoted to top prospects J.P. Arencibia and Brian Jeroloman, there was no room for Thigpen.

He was hitting .148 in 14 games with the Blue Jays this spring and has hit .229 in 57 big-league games over the past two seasons with Toronto.

The Athletics also signed catcher Eric Munson, who along with Thigpen provide depth if projected major league backup Landon Powell gets hurt.