Izturis announced his retirement from baseball Friday, MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm reports.
Izturis signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays this offseason in hopes of landing a utility job, but he dealt with a shoulder injury during camp and was on the outside looking in at a roster spot, so he decided to call it a career. Izturis will finish his career with a .269 batting average, 39 home runs, 334 RBI, and 93 stolen bases in 909 games over 11 seasons.
Izturis signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays on Friday that included an invitation to spring training, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsbet reports.
Izturis had his club option for 2016 declined, but the 35-year-old is back with Toronto anyway. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2014 due to injuries, where he batted .286 in 38 plate appearances. He'll likely serve as organizational depth with the infield pretty well solidified for the AL East champions.
Izturis's $3 million club option for 2016 was declined, making the 35-year-old a free agent, John Lott of the National Post reports.
Izturis missed the 2015 season with injuries to his groin and shoulder and he's played in just 11 major league games since 2014. He could very well catch on with another team in 2016, but he likely won't provide much fantasy production unless he can win a starting job in spring training.
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis underwent surgery on his right shoulder and could be out for the remainder of the season, according to Sportsnet.ca. Izturis injured his shoulder May 23 while rehabbing from a right groin strain.
Second baseman Maicer Izturis has a tear in his right shoulder that will be examined again before the Blue Jays determine the extent of the injury and how long he will be sidelined, per MLB.com.
Izturis sustained the injury while diving after a ball in a May 23 rehab game.
He has had 11 stints on the disabled list in 11 years. He appeared in just 11 games last year because of a torn ligament in his left knee.
Izturis appeared destined to earn the second base job with the Jays in spring training this season, but he strained a groin. He was on a rehab assignment for that when he suffered the latest setback.
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis suffered a shoulder injury in a minor league rehab game on Saturday.
Playing for Class A Dunedin, Izturis dove for a ground ball and felt something pop in his shoulder, per the National Post.
Izturis was rehabbing a groin injury at Dunedin. He's been on the disabled list 11 times in the last 11 seasons.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that shortstop Jose Reyes (rib) and second baseman Maicer Izturis (groin) will both begin rehab assignments next week, per Sportsnet.
Reyes went on the 15-day disabled list with a cracked rib on April 27 while Izturis, who's currently on the 60-day DL, strained his groin in spring training and has played yet this season.
In 16 games for the Blue Jays this season Reyes was hitting .250 (15 for 60) with three doubles.
The Blue Jays officially added pitcher Andrew Albers to their roster Friday and to make room transfered second baseman Maicer Izturis (strained right groin) from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list, the team has announced.
Izturis injured the groin during spring training and began the season on the disabled list.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Sunday that infielder Maicer Izturis won't play before the end of April at the earliest, Sportsnet reports.
Izturis is still recovering from a groin strain. His absence allowed the team to carry infield prospect Devon Travis on the initial roster, as Travis has been able to get regular time at second base. Izturis will likely need to prove he can be a backup option at shortstop in order to be added to the 25-man roster when healthy, MLB.com reports.
"We barely saw him; that's going to be a big part of it too," Anthopoulos said of backing up shortstop. "Between now and then ... things change so fast. If we had to make a move tomorrow, it would be a certain move, but you know things change so fast you don't even worry about it until you start getting close."
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Thursday outfielder Michael Saunders (knee) and infielder Maicer Izturis (groin) will open the 2015 season on the disabled list, per Sportsnet.ca.
Saunders is expected to start in left field when healthy, while Izturis will likely be a backup infielder.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Sunday that second baseman Maicer Izturis (groin) "definitely" won't be ready to return by Opening Day, the Toronto Star reports.
Izturis, who pulled his groin Friday, will be restricted from all activities for 10 days. He is just 2 for 16 with three walks in nine spring appearances. Ryan Goins and Devon Travis, who are battling for the backup infielder role, are in the mix to start at second base while Izturis is out.
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis said he feels about the same as he did Friday when he left a spring game against the Rays due to a groin strain, per Sportsnet.ca. He is hoping it won't keep him sidelined for long, but manager John Gibbons said he doesn't think Izturis will be ready by opening day.
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis was forced out of Friday's Grapefruit League against the Rays with a groin strain. The Blue Jays notified reporters that they won't provide an update on his timetable until he is further evaluated by doctors after the game, according to MLB.com.
Izturis has just one hit in 15 spring at-bats.
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis has made a full recovery after tearing the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee last year and appears to be the early favorite to win the starting second base job for Toronto, per MLB.com.
"I think he has come in knowing that he's competing for playing time, and when you think about it, this is their livelihood and they know that it can be taken away, or the situation can change," Blue Jays bench coach DeMarlo Hale said. "We have some good players in camp. I think he has come in here prepared. [Manager John Gibbons] has moved him around, at shortstop, so maybe if it's not one role, he can fill another role because of his versatility."
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis said Wednesday that he's back to full health after being limited to just 11 games in 2014 due to knee surgery, MLB.com reports.
"I'm feeling very good," Izturis said Wednesday. "Just trying to do my thing and do much better. ... I've been taking ground balls, hitting. When everybody gets here, we'll see how I turn double plays, run the bases, that kind of stuff."
If Izturis can prove his knee is no longer a concern, he could be the favorite to emerge from a crowded competition for the team's starting role at second base.
"I'm used to a lot of competition from when I was in Anaheim, and this is kind of similar," Izturis said. "Every year I had to compete, had to get a job, and to me there's no pressure, just try to do my best, try to help my team, and that's the goal."
Manager John Gibbons indicated Wednesday that he likes what he's seen of the infielder during the very early stages of camp.
"He looks good, he looks the best I've seen him in three years, physically," Gibbons said. "He's moving better, and you never know coming off an injury like that what's going to happen."
Prior to his lost season, Izturis hit .236/.288/.310 with five home runs and 32 RBI in 365 at-bats in 2013, his first season in Toronto.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos doesn't see the team adding a second baseman before the start of the regular season, but the team is still exploring options to add to the bullpen via trade or free agency, MLB.com reports.
"Second base, I don't expect anything to change between now and the time camp starts," Anthopoulos told reporters Thursday. "We had some things we worked on, we just couldn't get close. The bullpen, those are still open, both in trade and free agency."
The Blue Jays appear ready to address the second-base position with one of four internal candidates: Ryan Goins, Maicer Izturis, Steve Tolleson or Danny Valencia. Goins, Tolleson and Valencia all had between 150 and 200 at-bats with the Blue Jays last season, while Izturis racked up 365 at-bats with the team in 2013.
Though the team is exploring bullpen options, the Blue Jays may not necessarily add a high-profile closer, as Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons expressed confidence that left-hander Brett Cecil or right-hander Aaron Sanchez could handle the role.
The Blue Jays activated pitcher Chad Jenkins and infielders Maicer Izturis and Brett Lawrie from the 60-day disabled list Saturday.
The Blue Jays announced several roster moves before activating shortstop Jose Reyes from the disabled list on Friday.
The team selected the contract of infielder Juan Francisco from Triple-A Buffalo and transferred Maicer Izturis to the 60-day disabled list following a 3-2 win over Cleveland. The team also placed Adam Lind on the 15-day disabled list.
Blue Jays infielder Maicer Izturis will ultimately require surgery to repair a completely torn LCL, the team announced Tuesday. The surgery will keep Izturis out at least four months, though he could require up to six months to recover, and is likely out for the remainder of the season according to MLB.com.
Izturis is still set to seek a second opinion before undergoing surgery, but it appears inevitable at this point. The 33-year-old was hitting .286/.324/.314 through the first 11 games of the season before suffering the injury Sunday.
The Blue Jays made a few roster moves as expected Tuesday.
The team selected the contract of infielder Munenori Kawasaki from Triple-A Buffalo after placing infielder Maicer Izturis (knee) on the 15-day disabled list. Izturis is expected to miss 4-6 recovering from a torn LCL in his knee.
To make room for Kawasaki on the 40-man roster, pitcher Marcus Walden was designated for assignment. Pitcher Jeremy Jeffress also cleared waivers and was outrighted to Buffalo.
Minor League Batting Stats | ||||||||||||||||
Year | Team | GP | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | R-Burlington | 55 | 217 | 33 | 63 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 33 | 17 | 32 | 16 | 6 | .290 | .342 | .373 |
1999 | A-Columbus | 57 | 220 | 46 | 66 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 20 | 28 | 14 | 2 | .300 | .357 | .405 |
2000 | A-Columbus | 10 | 29 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .276 | .344 | .310 |
2001 | A-Kinston | 114 | 433 | 47 | 104 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 39 | 31 | 81 | 32 | 9 | .240 | .300 | .312 |
2002 | AA-Akron | 67 | 253 | 34 | 70 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 32 | 17 | 28 | 8 | 4 | .277 | .326 | .379 |
2002 | A-Kinston | 58 | 233 | 28 | 61 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 24 | 26 | 24 | 6 | .262 | .332 | .339 |
2003 | AAA-Buffalo | 85 | 301 | 43 | 79 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 24 | 28 | 14 | 6 | .263 | .317 | .362 |
2003 | AA-Akron | 53 | 218 | 31 | 61 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 14 | 6 | .280 | .351 | .390 |
2004 | AAA-Edmonton | 99 | 376 | 65 | 127 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 36 | 57 | 30 | 14 | 12 | .338 | .428 | .423 |
2005 | AAA-Salt Lake | 10 | 31 | 10 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | .452 | .553 | .581 |
2006 | AAA-Salt Lake | 9 | 36 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | .306 | .372 | .500 |
2007 | AAA-Salt Lake | 5 | 17 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .353 | .450 | .412 |
2007 | A-Rancho Cuca | 7 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .318 | .448 | .364 |
2008 | A-Rancho Cuca | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 |
2010 | AAA-Salt Lake Bees | 2 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -- | -- | 0 | 1 | .286 | .286 | .286 |