DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays and Daniel Vogelbach reached agreement on a minor-league deal, an industry source said Friday, throwing the left-handed hitting slugger into competition for a spot on the club’s bench.
Vogelbach was briefly with the Blue Jays in 2020, appearing in two games, so the sides have some familiarity with one another. Last season with the New York Mets, the 31-year-old batted .233/.339/.404 with 13 homers in 319 plate appearances over 104 games.
While the Blue Jays have a glut of infielders competing for jobs, Vogelbach’s ability to deliver one-swing damage against right-handed pitchers – he has a career .814 OPS against them – offers a different dynamic to the mix. The Mets used him exclusively as a DH and pinch-hitter last year and he logged just five innings at first base in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Spencer Horwitz, who debuted in the majors last season and batted .256/.341/.385 in 44 plate appearances over 15 games, would be a candidate for a similar role, but offers some defensive utility at first base.