The Toronto Blue Jays have added to their infield depth after freeing up a roster spot.
Toronto claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Chicago Cubs after placing pitcher Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list, the team announced Wednesday.
Cowles, 26, has spent part of the last two seasons with the Cubs after being traded to Chicago from the New York Yankees in the deal for RHP Mark Leiter Jr. in 2024.
Last season, he batted .235 with a .671 OPS, nine home runs and 18 stolen bases in 128 games at the triple-A level, split between the Cubs’ and White Sox’s affiliates after a late-season designation for assignment from the Cubs.
The Rochester, N.Y., native was selected by the Yankees in the 10th round of the 2021 draft and has yet to make his MLB debut.
Francis, meanwhile, will miss the 2026 season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery in his right elbow.
The 29-year-old struggled last season after a breakout 2024 campaign, pitching to a 6.05 ERA in 14 starts before hitting the IL in mid-June and sitting out the remainder of the season.
