Toronto Blue Jays utility man and roster mainstay Cavan Biggio was designated for assignment, the team announced on Friday.
The move made room for first baseman and designated hitter Spencer Horwitz, who was recalled from triple-A Buffalo for the weekend series against the Oakland Athletics.
Biggio still had options left on his contract but was a player with five years of service time in the majors. Therefore, he would’ve had to consent to an option, which he presumably did not, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
He is currently batting a career-low .200 this season with two home runs and nine RBIs in 44 games played.
The 29-year-old played 490 games with the Blue Jays since being called up in 2019. He owns a .227 batting average with 48 home runs, 176 RBIs and 32 stolen bases over his six seasons in the majors.
He was last sent down to Buffalo in the 2022 season, playing 10 games with the triple-A ballclub.
Horwitz, meanwhile, has been on a tear for the triple-A Buffalo Bisons this season, slashing .335/.456/.514. Over his last six games, he has 12 hits in 21 at-bats, including five doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs.
A 24th-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2019, Horwitz is currently ranked among the offensive leaders in the International League — where the Bisons play — in a number of categories. He leads the league in doubles, ranks second in on-base percentage and fourth in batting average and walks.
The 26-year-old has spent time at second base recently with Buffalo and has logged 87 innings at the position this season. While he has primarily played first base, Horwitz has also played 22 innings in left field.
Horwitz made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2023, picking up 10 hits in 39 at-bats, including two doubles and one home run. He appeared in 15 games.
More to come.
The Toronto Blue Jays made a surprising move on Friday by designating infielder Cavan Biggio for assignment. This decision comes as a shock to many fans and analysts, as Biggio has been a key player for the Blue Jays since making his MLB debut in 2019.
Biggio, the son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, has shown flashes of brilliance during his time with the Blue Jays. He has been a versatile player, capable of playing multiple positions including second base, third base, and outfield. In 2021, he hit .215 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs in 79 games.
Despite his struggles at the plate this season, Biggio has been a valuable asset for the Blue Jays with his defensive versatility and ability to get on base. However, with the emergence of other young players like Santiago Espinal and Kevin Smith, the Blue Jays felt it was time to make a change.
In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays have recalled infielder Spencer Horwitz from Triple-A Buffalo. Horwitz, a 22-year-old prospect, has been tearing it up in the minors this season. In 67 games with Buffalo, he hit .297 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Horwitz is known for his advanced approach at the plate and his ability to hit for both power and average. He will provide the Blue Jays with some much-needed depth in the infield and could potentially earn himself a regular spot in the lineup if he continues to produce at the big league level.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Cavan Biggio, but one thing is for certain – the Blue Jays are not afraid to make bold moves in order to improve their roster. With Spencer Horwitz now in the mix, the Blue Jays will look to continue their push for a playoff spot in the highly competitive AL East.