Blue Jays signed INF/OF Eugenio Velez to a minor league contract.

The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. Velez, 30, batted .280/.358/.449 with 11 home runs, 58 RBI and 37 stolen bases with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate this past season. He'll need to have a big spring to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Eugenio Velez elected free agency.

Velez did not appear in a game at the major league level in 2012, but posted a solid .280/.358/.449 line with 11 homers, 58 RBI and 37 steals at Triple-A Memphis. The switch-hitting utility man could generate some interest on the free agent market.

Cardinals signed INF-OF Eugenio Velez to a minor league contract.

Velez, 29, went 0-for-37 with the Dodgers this past season and batted .339/.371/.463 with two homers, 31 RBIs and 33 runs in 55 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. The switch-hitting utility man offers some organizational depth.

Dodgers sent INF-OF Eugenio Velez outright to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Velez managed no hits in 40 plate appearances with the Dodgers this season. He's never had much big league success and will likely open the 2012 season in Triple-A.

Dodgers purchased the contract of INF-OF Eugenio Velez from Triple-A Albuquerque.

He'll take the place of Dee Gordon on the active roster. Velez, 29, was batting .339/.371/.463 with two homers, 31 RBI and an .834 OPS over 235 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. His speed makes him worth watching inÿdeeper NL-only leagues, though it's unlikely he'll get enough playing time to be fantasy relevant.