The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing back a familiar face.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Toronto Blue Jays are claiming utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa off of waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kiner-Falefa was waived by the Pirates on August 29th and suited up for the Pirates up until yesterday. It’s that time of year when players are placed on the waiver wire to see if anybody is willing to claim them and take on the remaining salary owed.

Fans may remember Kiner-Falefa from last season, when the Hawaiian product signed a two-year deal worth $15 million during the 2023/2023 offseason with the organization. Through the first half of the season, Kiner-Falefa posted a .292/.338/.420 slash line with eight doubles, seven home runs, and a .758 OPS. With the Jays out of the postseason race by the trade deadline, they moved him to the Pirates in exchange for prospect Charles McAdoo.

Kiner-Falefa would struggle with the Pirates down the stretch, posting a .587 OPS and a .265 OBP through 208 at-bats. That lacklustre bat carried over into this season, where the veteran amassed a .264/.300/.332 slash line with a .632 OPS. His bat was solid in terms of contact and limiting the strikeouts, but he saw a significant decrease in his power numbers, collecting just one home run and 35 RBIs this year. He also missed almost a month with a right hamstring injury earlier this season.

The 30-year-old is more of a defensive-minded player at the end of the day, being known for his ability to play multiple positions across the diamond. The Pirates have used him at third base and shortstop this year, but he can play the corner outfield spots if needed.

With this addition, the Jays will be acquiring a versatile player who should provide some additional depth on the bench through the last month of the campaign. It will be a bonus if he can find his bat that made him a popular figure in Toronto last year, and the Jays have moved Yimi Garcia to the 60-day IL to make room for him on the 40-man roster (active rosters expand tomorrow to claim him). Because the claim went through before September 1st, Kiner-Falefa is eligible for the postseason.

All Toronto Blue Jays odds are brought to you by MLB betting site Betway!