The Toronto Blue Jays have signed outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor-league deal and he’ll report to Triple-a Buffalo, the team announced on Wednesday.

"Send him down to Triple-A and see if he gets going. You never know. I like it," manager John Gibbons told reporters Wednesday. 

Saunders slumped to a .205 average in 61 games with the Philadelphia Phillies and was designated for assignment last Tuesday.

Coming off a career year where he hit 24 homers and drove in 57 runs, the 30-year-old went deep six times and contributed 20 RBIs, with an on base percentage of .257 for the Phillies before his release.

The Victoria native signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Phillies in the off season.

 

Game Notes

TSN's Scott Mitchell checked-in prior to the Blue Jays matchup with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. 

- Marcus Stroman has given up six homers over his last two starts. Gibbons says it's a case of him leaving the ball up and hitters not missing.

- Gibbons talked to Aaron Sanchez and he said he felt great after throwing 66 pitches Tuesday night for Dunedin. He'll make another rehab start but not sure where it will be.

- It's likely Joe Biagini goes to bullpen when Sanchez returns but they've talked about different scenarios. A six man rotation is NOT one of them.

- Gibbons on struggles with RISP (29th in MLB): "We've been in a rut with that. It's no secret. Guys do press."