Blue Jays trade veteran infielder Eric Sogard to Rays

Eric-Sogard

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Eric Sogard, right, is congratulated by Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Billy McKinney, second right, after being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning American League MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday, July 28, 2019. (Nathan Denette / CP)

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays made the first of what could be many late-July trades Sunday, sending Eric Sogard to the Tampa Bay Rays for two players to be named.

The move, which was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, comes after Sogard was scratched from the Blue Jays’ lineup against the Rays, who are playing in Toronto this weekend.

The 33-year-old utility player is batting .300/.363/.477 with 10 home runs through 73 games after signing a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays over the winter. He has played second base, third base, shortstop and both corner outfield positions in Toronto.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays are calling up top prospect Bo Bichette despite hitting .097 with 12 strikeouts in 31 at-bats over the last week.

Bichette, 21, is hitting .290 with eight home runs and 33 RBI in 59 games at triple-A this season.

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