Blue Jays Claim First Baseman Mauro Gomez Off Waivers

Feb 24, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter Mauro Gomez (50) connects for a base hit against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY SportsA day after getting completely shellacked by the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays took a little piece of Boston back, claiming first baseman Mauro Gomez off waivers from the Red Sox. The Blue Jays announced the claim earlier this afternoon via Twitter.

The 28-year-old Gomez has been designated for assignment by Boston on March 31st in order to make room on the 40-man roster for Jackie Bradley Jr.

Gomez made his Major League debut with the Red Sox in 2012, appearing in 37 games and getting 111 plate appearances. In those at-bats, he hit .275 with 2 home runs, 17 RBI, and .746 OPS while playing both first and third base.

Gomez, who was optioned to Buffalo to start the season, will give the Blue Jays some excellent depth in the minors at first base. He is a .281 career hitter in the Minor Leagues and has topped the 20 run mark four times in nine seasons.

To make room for Gomez on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays have designated right-hander Dave Bush for assignment. Bush was rocked for four home runs on Sunday, his first appearance at the Major League level in two years.

The movement of Bush also opens up a 25-man roster spot for recently claimed reliever Edgar Gonzalez, who was picked off of the Houston Astros scrap heap this weekend.