The Toronto Blue Jays acquired shortstop Paul DeJong and cash considerations from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for a minor league pitcher.
The move comes only one day after Blue Jays starting SS and American League batting leader Bo Bichette (.321) was forced out of a game with a right knee injury. The team has not provided an update on Bichette’s condition.
According to the statement, the Blue Jays handed Single-A pitcher Matt Svanson to the Cardinals in exchange.
DeJong, who turns 30 on Wednesday, is batting.233 in 81 games (77 starts) this season, with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs. The one-time All-Star has a career.233 batting average with 115 home runs, all with the Cardinals. The Cardinals selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft.
DeJong is in the final year of his six-year, $26 million contract, which he signed in March 2018. The Blue Jays have club options on him for 2024 and 2025. For the remainder of the season, he is owed almost $3 million.
In order to create room for DeJong, the Blue Jays designated 1B/OF Jordan Luplow for assignment. Luplow finished the season 3-for-14.
Svanson, 24, has a 4-1 record with a 1.23 ERA and six saves in 24 appearances for High-A Vancouver. The Cardinals delegated the right-hander to their Double-A affiliate in Springfield.
