The Breyvic Valera era continues!

The Blue Jays announced today that the veteran utility infielder has been added to the 40-man roster and has been called up to the team ahead of Sunday’s doubleheader with the Texas Rangers. In a corresponding move, Jonathan Davis has been optioned to Triple-A and Nick Allgeyer has been designated for assignment.

It seems the Blue Jays want another infielder in the mix and Valera has hit very well in Triple-A this season, so he’s the one who ended up getting the call. Through 41 games, Valera is slashing a .313/.406/.460 line with 24 walks to 19 strikeouts. He can play second, third, and short, and also has made a few appearances in the outfield in his career.

I imagine that most people wanted to see Kevin Smith called up as he’s been absolutely mashing for the Thunder-Bisons, but the Blue Jays have a bit of a 40-man roster squeeze going on right now. Alejandro Kirk and Julian Merryweather will need to be re-added from the 60-day Injured List eventually and Valera is an easier player to DFA when that day comes.

And then there’s Allgeyer, who has spent a good chunk of his season going back and forth from the big leagues to the minors and made just one appearance for the Blue Jays this season after being added to the roster. There’s upside with Allgeyer, but, again, the team has a difficult 40-man crunch, and, as we saw with Joel Payamps on Friday, somebody’s gotta go in order to fit players returning from injury. Hopefully he clears through, but that’s no guarantee.