Blue Jays Quick Hits: Dioner Navarro, spring training, more

Blue Jays news and notes from the morning of February 10, 2019, including a recent signing of an old Blue Jays catcher and a slightly updated spring training cap that the team will be using this year.

Dioner Navarro Signs with Cleveland

According to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com, Cleveland is signing former Blue Jays backstop Dioner Navarro to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Navarro, who most recently appeared in the bigs for the Blue Jays in late 2016, appeared in 209 games for the club in parts of three seasons, slashing .263/.311/.380 and hitting 17 home runs and driving in 92.

Blue Jays Update Spring Training/Batting Practice Caps

The Blue Jays are slightly updating their spring training and batting practice hats for the 2019 season, notes Thomas Bassinger of the Tampa Bay Times. The cap will feature a differently stitched red maple leaf on a white panel with a blue brim.

Justin Nicolino Signs with Twins

Once a second-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2010 and at one point one of the organization’s top prospects, left-handed pitcher Justin Nicolino has now resorted to a minor-league contract, joining the Minnesota Twins organization on a minors pact, the team confirmed Thursday. Nicolino, 27, spent the 2018 season in the Cincinnati Reds organization. The hurler has been assigned to the organization’s Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings.

Gurriel Could Also See Time in LF

Blue Jays infielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who is projected by MLB.com to be the team’s starting shortstop in 2019, could see some time in left field this season, reports John Lott of The Athletic. Gurriel briefly appeared in left field during the 2015-16 Cuban National Series before he signed with the team.

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Mark Budzinski’s Part-Time Job

In one of the more interesting caveats of information to surface this offseason, Mark Budzinski, the new Blue Jays first base coach, is also a real estate agent in the Richmond, Virginia area when not coaching, details ABC 8 News’ Kirk Nawrotzky in a recent feature. Budzinski, who also spent time coaching in the Cleveland Indians organization, is “very honest” with his clients about the travel schedule that comes with his job in baseball.

“Scrabble” Latches on in Arizona

Marc Rzepczynski, whose comically complex last name earned him the nickname “Scrabble”, has signed a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Rzepczynski, 33, pitched for the Blue Jays from 2009 to 2011, racking up 164.1 innings in 68 outings.

Danny Espinosa Signs with Mets

Danny Espinosa, who spent spring training in 2018 with the Blue Jays organization, has now joined the New York Mets on a minor-league deal, per a team announcement. The former Washington National appeared in 13 games for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in April 2018.