The Toronto Blue Jays are among the teams that have checked in with free-agent utility player Kelly Johnson on a non-roster deal, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Johnson played for the Blue Jays in 2011 and ’12, and has since moved around several organizations. He finished the 2016 campaign with the New York Mets.
The 35-year-old veteran of 11 MLB seasons has spent the majority of his career at second base. Toronto second baseman Devon Travis is recovering from a bone bruise in his right knee and it’s questionable if he’ll be able to make the team’s opening day roster.
The left-handed hitting Johnson could potentially provide insurance on the infield for the Blue Jays. He played 52 games at second base last season, with the Mets and the Atlanta Braves, and saw 21 games at third base and 15 in left field.
Johnson owns a .251 career batting average and .330 on-base percentage. His best season came in 2010 when he hit .284/.370/.496 with 26 home runs and 79 RBIs for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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