Blue Jays sign Kawasaki

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have agreed to terms with INF MUNENORI KAWASAKI on a 2014 minor league contract with an invitation to attend Major League spring training.

Kawasaki, 32, appeared in 96 games for the Blue Jays last season batting .229 with a .326 OBP, one home run and 24 RBI. His five triples tied for the club high in 2013. The Kagoshima, Japan native became the 1st Japanese-born position player to appear in a game as a Toronto Blue Jay in franchise history. The left-handed hitter has now appeared in 157 career games for Seattle and Toronto in two seasons, posting a .218 average.