With spring training now less than a month away, the Blue Jays have added a couple of depth pieces to vie for jobs when Grapefruit League action gets underway next month.
The team announced on Wednesday that it has agreed to terms on minor-league contracts — with invitations to major league spring training — with catcher Christian Bethancourt and lefty reliever Richard Lovelady.
The 33-year-old Bethancourt is potential insurance in the battle for the backup role to starting catcher, Alejandro Kirk. Bethancourt split the 2024 season between the Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs, appearing in 62 games combined.
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The native of Panama, who has appeared in 428 games in a major league career that began in 2013 with the Atlanta Braves, hit .209 in 2024 with seven doubles, five homer runs and 22 RBI. He also gunned down 12 runners from behind the plate.
In terms of spring training competition, Bethancourt likely will battle Tyler Heineman for the backup spot to Kirk.
Lovelady is a 29-year-old southpaw who made a total of 35 combined appearances between the Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays last season. The more substantial wok came with the Rays where in 28 outing he posted a 3.77 ERA with a 7.6% walk rate.
Lovelady has seen big-league action with the Kansas City Royals, who selected him in the 10th round of the 2016 draft, as well as the Athletics, Cubs and Rays.
The low-risk signing of Lovelady offers some needed depth in a bullpen that continues to be rebuilt this off-season by general manager Ross Atkins.