Blue Jays designate Daniel Vogelbach for assignment

Field Level Media|published: Fri 14th June, 20:57 2024

Jun 2, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach (20) hits a two-run double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays designated Daniel Vogelbach for assignment on Friday and recalled prized prospect Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo.

The 31-year-old Vogelbach is batting just .186 with one homer and eight RBIs in 31 games for Toronto. The designated hitter had struck out 17 times in 70 at-bats.

Vogelbach, 31, has played with five teams and was an All-Star for the Seattle Mariners in 2019 when he established career bests of 30 homers and 76 RBIs.

"Just want to point out -- thanking Vogey for everything he did," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said prior to Friday's home game against the Cleveland Guardians. "Obviously it was a tough runway for him playing-time-wise. ... But just wanted to say how well-liked he was in here and he just went about things the right way."

Barger's promotion comes two days after Toronto formally traded infielder Cavan Biggio to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Barger is the No. 6 prospect in the Blue Jays' organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

Schneider said Barger will see action at third base and in the outfield. The left-hander hitter had a .256 average, eight homers and 34 RBIs in 50 games at Buffalo.

"Hopefully there's a pretty good runway for him to be in there against right-handed pitching," Schneider said.

Earlier this season, Barger made his major league debut with the Blue Jays and went 1-for-18 with six strikeouts in five games.

--Field Level Media