Blue Jays sign Izturis to minor-league deal

The Toronto Blue Jays will bring back a familiar face to possibly provide some depth in 2016 after signing veteran infielder Maicer Izturis to a minor-league deal Friday evening.

Izturis, who turned 35 in September, received a $1-million buyout from the Blue Jays back in November following an injury-marred three-year stint with the club. After stumbling through a disappointing first season with Toronto in 2013, Izturis logged just 11 games the following year before suffering a season-ending knee injury in April. Though he arrived at spring training in 2015 poised to compete with Devon Travis for playing time at second base, Izturis injured his groin in late March and ended up spending the entire season on the disabled list.

With Travis expected to open 2016 on the disabled list following offseason shoulder surgery, however, Izturis will receive an invitation to spring training, where he'll likely compete with Darwin Barney for a reserve role on the 25-man roster. In Travis' absence, Ryan Goins is expected to serve as Toronto's primary second baseman.

Over parts of 11 seasons in the majors, Izturis owns a .703 OPS (90 OPS+) with 39 homers and 93 stolen bases across stints with the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, and Montreal Expos. Since 2012, however, Izturis has hit just .247/.303/.312 in 218 games.