The Toronto Blue Jays have signed free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera to a two-year, $16 million contract, according to an ESPN report Friday.
Cabrera was having a monster year for the San Francisco Giants in 2012 until he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in August and was suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. At the time, he was hitting .313 with 11 homers and 60 RBI and had 13 stolen bases.
The World Series-champion Giants could have added Cabrera to their postseason roster but chose to leave him off.
Cabrera, a switch hitter, came to the Giants from Kansas City, where he hit .305 with 18 homers and 87 RBI in 2011.
His addition could add to a Blue Jays lineup bolstered through offseason acquisitions that include shortstop Jose Reyes.
—The San Diego Padres obtained right-hander Tyson Ross and first baseman A.J. Kirby-Jones from the Oakland Athletics on Friday in exchange for left-hander Andrew Werner and infielder Andy Parrino.
Ross was limited by injuries to 73 1/3 innings for the A’s in 2012 and posted a 2-11 record with a 6.50 ERA.
The other three players in the deal are prospects.
—The Miami Marlins announced the hiring Friday of Chuck Hernandez as pitching coach and Rob Leary as bench coach.
Hernandez joins new manager Mike Redmond’s staff after two seasons at the University of South Florida, where he was an assistant coach.
Leary returns to the Marlins after serving as a minor-league field coordinator with the Cleveland Indians this past year.