Jared

Hoying

Hoying had a brief stint with the Blue Jays last week, his first in the majors since 2017. However, he was removed from their 40-man roster and is now headed to Korea.

Hoying was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo last weekend, but has elected to test the free agent waters instead. The 32-year-old journeyman outfielder appeared in two games for the Blue Jays earlier this month before being designated for assignment. He’ll serve as organizational outfield depth wherever he latches on.

Hoying can now elect to become a free agent, and there should be a decision on that within the next few days. The 32-year-old outfielder went 0-for-3 in a two-game stay with the Blue Jays last week.

Hoying heads back to Triple-A after spending just a couple of days with Toronto while Teoscar Hernandez comes back from the paternity list. He could be back with Toronto at some point this summer.

Gurriel Jr. has started six consecutive games and appeared in a whopping 62 of the Blue Jays’ 68 contests so far this season. It’ll be Jared Hoying taking over in left field and making his first start of the season in his absence. He should be back in there for Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles.

The 32-year-old will take the place of Teoscar Hernandez, who was placed on the paternity list on Thursday. Hoying is carrying a .333/.357/.815 slash line with three home runs and four doubles over 267 at-bats with Triple-A Buffalo.

Hoying batted .306/.373/.573 with 30 home runs over 590 plate appearances during his first season with the Eagles in 2018, but he saw a drop-off last season while dealing with injury and he was slumping to the tune of a .194/.254/.323 batting line through 134 plate appearances this season. The 31-year-old would become a free agent if he clears waivers, but he wouldn’t be eligible to play for another team in the KBO this season.

It’s double the $700,000 salary he made during his terrific first-year showing in the KBO in 2018. Hoying batted .306/.373/.573 with 30 home runs over 590 plate appearances and probably would’ve had some offers on the MLB free agent market this winter had he wanted to return stateside, though they might have been of the non-guaranteed minor league variety. The 29-year-old was a 10th-round pick of the Rangers back in 2010.

Hoying hit .217 with a .280 on-base percentage in 11 games earlier this season with Texas. The 27-year-old has good speed, but he’s doubtful to hold fantasy relevance.

The move clears a spot for Shin-Soo Choo’s return from the disabled list. Hoying went 5-for-23 (.217) with three RBI during his first stint in the majors.