Kevin

Barker

Barker makes way for Saturday’s starter, Matt Maloney. “There are a couple of guys with a little more versatility,” said manager Baker said. Barker will return once Louisville finishes its Triple-A playoffs.

Barker was shipped down by the Reds two days ago. He should be back until the end of the season this time. The 34-year-old had a .364/.364/.364 in 11 plate appearances for the Reds earlier this season. He hit .284/.375/.553 in Louisville with 22 homers in 349 at-bats.

He’ll take the roster spot vacated by Alex Gonzalez. Barker is a 34-year-old journeyman and has put up a tidy .284/.375/.553 line in Louisville with 22 homers in 349 at-bats. He’ll likely be resigned to a bench role and isn’t a fantasy option.

Barker, the Brewers’ Opening Day first baseman back in 2000, hit .305/.373/.575 in 351 AB for Triple-A Syracuse last season, so there’s a chance he could resurface on some team’s bench one day. He finished the MPL season at .271/.379/.480 with 12 HR in 225 AB.

Barker hit a pair of homers for the Brewers in 2000, but failed to hit one in 19 at-bats for the Padres in 2002. The 31 year-old won’t have any fantasy value while serving as a pinch-hitter.

Barker, the Brewers’ starting first baseman for a time six years ago, is back in the majors for the first time since 2002. The 31-year-old hit .275/.379/.480 in 473 at-bats for Syracuse. He’ll serve as a pinch-hitter against right-handers.

Barker, 31, hit .275/.379/.480 in 473 at-bats for Triple-A Syracuse before joining the Jays in September, making his first appearance in the majors since 2002. He’ll again bat in the middle of Syracuse’s lineup.

Barker, who was back in the majors for the first time since 2002 when the Jays recalled him in September, was 4-for-23 with seven strikeouts this spring. Thigpen, the only player in this group likely to have much of a future with the Jays, was 2-for-22.