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Giants sign DeJong to MLB deal days after release from Jays

Mark Blinch / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Paul DeJong is on the move again.

Just a few days after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays, the veteran shortstop signed a major-league contract with the San Francisco Giants, the team announced.

The Giants added DeJong to the roster ahead of Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The club designated infielder Johan Camargo for assignment in a corresponding move.

The Blue Jays acquired DeJong from the St. Louis Cardinals ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline in exchange for minor-league pitcher Matt Svanson. DeJong's acquisition was intended to offset then-injured Bo Bichette's absence at shortstop, but DeJong quickly fell out of favor amid poor offensive production.

In only 13 games with Toronto, the 30-year-old hit .068 (3-for-44) with one RBI and one run scored. The team designated DeJong for assignment when Bichette returned from the injured list Aug. 19 and released him two days later.

DeJong was in the final guaranteed season of a six-year, $26-million contract originally signed with the Cardinals. St. Louis agreed to pay half of his remaining 2023 salary and the $2-million buyout cost of his 2024 club option as part of the trade with Toronto.

In San Francisco, DeJong will presumably act as an injury replacement for veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford, who's sidelined with a forearm strain. Camargo, who also joined the Giants as a free agent earlier this month, held down the position in Crawford's absence. DeJong could play other infield positions as well, although he's only played 21 games outside shortstop.

An All-Star in 2019, DeJong is a lifetime .230/.301/.420 hitter with 115 homers and 339 RBIs over parts of seven big-league seasons. He's primarily known for his stellar defense at shortstop, where he's tallied 41 defensive runs saved in nearly 5,700 innings.

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