Blue Jays Yawn, Release Vargas, Velez

September 9, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Eugenio Velez (3) scores a run after being called safe by home plate umpire John Hirschbeck (17) after San Francisco Giants catcher Eli Whiteside (22) was unable to apply the tag in time in the ninth inning at AT

In the spirit of making some sort of move at this time of year, the Toronto Blue Jays released right-hander Claudio Vargas and infielder Eugenio Velez from Triple-A Buffalo. The team announced the move via its official Twitter feed. (H/T MLB Trade Rumors).

The move became necessary in order to free up roster space for outfielder Moises Sierra, who was reinstated from the disabled list, and Neil Wagner, who was optioned to Buffalo from the parent club when Melky Cabrera was activated by the Blue Jays.

Both Vargas and Velez were signed this past winter to Minor League contracts and spent the entire season with the Bisons.

Vargas, 35-years-old, has spent parts of appeared in 20 games and made 14 starts for the Bisons in 2013. He posted a 5-7 record with a 5.86 ERA, a 6.0 K/9 ratio, and a 3.9 BB/9 ratio. Over parts of 8 seasons in the Major Leagues, where he hasn’t appeared since 2010, Vargas owns a 48-40 record, a 4.83 ERA, a 6.4 K/9 ratio, and a 3.5 BB/9 ratio in 217 games (114 starts).

Velez played in 69 games and accumulated 259 plate appearances for Buffalo this season, hitting .270 with a .809 OPS, 7 home runs, 24 RBI, and 21 stolen bases, while playing second base, third base, left field, and designated hitter. The 31-year-old utility man has 5 years worth of Major League experience, hitting just .241 with 8 home runs, 72 RBI, and a .654 OPS in 718 plate appearances for the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Understandably, neither was on the Blue Jays 40-man roster nor appeared at any point during the season with Toronto. In other words, nothing to see here, move along.