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Blue Jays sign three more free agents

Nanita, Wagner, Hinshaw given minor league deals
November 21, 2012
The Toronto Blue Jays today announced that they have signed OF RICARDO NANTIA, RHP NEIL WAGNER and LHP ALEX HINSHAW to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training.

Nanita, 31, returns to the Blue Jays organization for the fourth consecutive season. Last year, the outfielder hit .306 (102-333) with a career-high 12 home runs and 62RBI in 93 games for Toronto's Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas. He also had 17 doubles and struck out just 39 times in 333 at-bats. Nanita hit three home runs in one game on August 18 at Sacramento.

Wagner 28, posted a 4-2 record and 5.46ERA in 46 combined appearances with Triple-A Sacramento and Tucson of the Pacific Coast League. The reliever made his major league debut with Oakland during the 2011 season and posted a 7.20ERA in six appearances with the Athletics (5.0IP, 6H, 4K).

Hinshaw, 30, began last season with Triple-A Tucson before being promoted for 31 games with San Diego. With the Padres, the southpaw was 1-1 with a 4.50ERA with 36 strikeouts in only 28.0 innings of work. He was designated for assignment on August 14 and claimed by the Cubs five days later. Hinshaw made two appearances with Chicago, allowing five runs in a third of an inning of work.

Hinshaw also pitched 57 games with the San Francisco Giants from 2008-2009 and was 2-1 with a 4.53ERA.

-the herd-