Blue Jays acquire OF Melvin Upton Jr. from San Diego
TORONTO (AP) The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from the San Diego Padres.
The Blue Jays also received cash from San Diego. In return, the Padres get minor league right-hander Hansel Rodriguez.
Upton is batting .256 with 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. The 12-year veteran has also played for Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
Upton is in the fourth year of a five-year, $75.25 million contract he signed with the Braves before the 2013 season. He's owed $16.45 million next season.
The 19-year-old Rodriguez is in his third season with Bluefield in the Rookie level Appalachian League. He's 2-1 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts.
Upton sat out San Diego's past two games, including Monday's 4-2 loss at Toronto. The Padres are making their first to Toronto this week.
Toronto will make a roster move to open a spot for Upton before Tuesday's game.