NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Toronto Blue Jays and infielder Darwin Barney have reached agreement on a major-league deal pending a physical, according to industry sources.
The 30-year-old former Gold Glove winner received interest from multiple teams before agreeing to return to the Blue Jays. He plugs their need on the bench for an extra infielder who can slot in and play both shortstop and second base behind Troy Tulowitzki and Ryan Goins.
Devon Travis, who was slated to compete for the second-base job with Goins in spring training, is recovering from shoulder surgery and likely won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.
Barney appeared in 15 games for the Blue Jays during September after he was acquired in a pinch when Tulowitzki suffered a crack in his left shoulder blade. He wasn’t eligible for the post-season because he wasn’t in the organization on Aug. 31.
Over those 15 games, Barney went 7-for-23 with two homers, four RBIs, a walk and two strikeouts and the two sides clearly made an impression on one another.
“It’s sad, it kind of sucks not to be able to be a part of it and see this thing through, but it was nice to be a part of this thing altogether,” Barney told Sportsnet on the final day of the regular season. “We’ll see what happens in the off-season, that’s kind of where my head is at right now. Take care of business, go from there, and see what happens.”
