Eduardo

Escobar

Escobar was granted his release to find an opportunity elsewhere shortly after being informed that he wasn’t going to make Toronto’s season-opening roster. The 35-year-old veteran signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays last month.

Escobar came into the day 2-for-27 with 11 strikeouts, so he really needed to do something. The veteran still seems like a long shot for a spot on the Blue Jays’ roster as a reserve infielder.

Escobar bolsters Toronto’s infield depth at the hot corner behind utility specialist Isaiah Kiner-Falefa and prospect Davis Schneider. The 35-year-old veteran doesn’t appear to have much left in the tank at this juncture after compiling an underwhelming .613 OPS with six homers in 309 plate appearances last year between the Mets and Angels. He’ll compete for a spot this spring on the Blue Jays’ season-opening roster.

We’re guessing this is a minor league deal, but perhaps it’ll be a guaranteed pact. The 35-year-old Escobar hit just .226/.269/.344 in 309 PA for the Mets and Angels last season, though he was above average offensively in the two previous seasons. He’d battle for a piece of the job at third base in Toronto.

He’ll get a $500,000 buyout and become a free agent. Escobar hit .226/.269/.344 in 309 PA for the Mets and Angels last season. He’s turning 35 this winter, so it’s probably going to be tough for him to land a major league deal as a free agent.

Escobar wasn’t one of the veterans waived by the Angels last week, but that’s only because the team knew there was no way he’d be picked up. The homer tonight was his second in 39 games since arriving from the Mets. He’s hitting .239/.283/.378 in 248 plate appearances for the year.

The positive news here is that Rendon is still listed on the Angels’ lineup card, and appears unlikely to require a trip to the injured list. X-rays came back negative after he was removed from Tuesday’s game against the Padres after fouling a ball off his right shin. It’ll be Eduardo Escobar at the hot corner in his absence.

Drury will miss his third game in a row due to a minor shoulder injury. The Angels are hoping extended rest will help him avoid the injured list. Eduardo Escobar will play second base and bat eighth in his absence.

Escobar was away from the team on Monday — and Tuesday morning — while taking his United States’ citizenship test in Florida. He’s back in uniform and ready for Tuesday night’s battle against the White Sox, though he’s not in the starting lineup against right-hander Michael Kopech.

Escobar is traveling to Florida where he’ll take his United States citizenship test on Tuesday, so he’ll be away from the club for two games. Jo Adell was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move on Monday.