Blue Jays, Justin Smoak avoid salary arbitration with one-year, $3.9 million deal

AP Photo/Kathy Willens
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Justin Smoak will be back with the reigning American League East champs in 2016.

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the 28-year-old first baseman avoided arbitration ahead of the non-tender deadline on Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Blue Jays.

Smoak, a switch-hitter, posted a .768 OPS with 18 home runs and 59 RBI in 132 games this summer for Toronto while making 71 starts at first base.

He held a .692 OPS in his four-plus seasons with the Mariners.

Stanton, Donaldson, Kahnle activated by Yankees ahead of Dodgers series

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.