Blue Jays deal Gaudin to A's

DALLAS -- The Blue Jays swung into Winter Meetings action on a low-key note early Monday evening, trading right-hander Chad Gaudin to the Oakland A's for a player to be named later.

Gaudin, 22, had a brief stay in Toronto last season, going 1-3 in five games, including three starts. That followed an eye-opening Triple-A season in Syracuse, where he was fourth in the International League with a 3.35 ERA while going 9-8 in 23 starts.

The Blue Jays had designated Gaudin for assignment three days ago, needing his spot on the 40-man roster for newly signed closer B.J. Ryan.

Gaudin had made his Major League debut with Tampa Bay in 2003 at the age of 20 and also pitched for the Devil Rays in 2004. He had been acquired by Toronto in a trade at last year's Winter Meetings in Anaheim, Calif.