Kansas City Royals sign Canadian infielder

On Friday it was announced that the Royals had signed Canadian infielder baseman Abraham Toro to a minor league contract. The deal will also come with an invite to Spring Training.

This comes on the heels of the Royals signing former Blue Jays Lane Thomas and Jose Cuas to similar deals.

The Longueil, Quebec native, who turns 29 on Saturday, spent the majority of the year with the Boston Red Sox and regularly played first base after a season-ending injury to Triston Casas.

Although he enjoyed some early success, he struggled in the latter of the season and ultimately hit .239 with seven home runs in 77 games before being outrighted off the roster in late August.

Toro got his start with the Houston Astros, who selected him in the fifth round in 2016. After a couple seasons with Houston he was dealt to the Seattle Mariners in the middle of a series between the two teams.

He hit a pinch-hit home run in his first game as a Mariner and subsequently became the first major league player to hit a home run for a team and then against the same team in consecutive games.

He has also suited up for the Brewers and the Athletics.

Toro will be an intriguing option for the Royals as he has experience at 1st, 2nd and 3rd base, as well as brief cameos in the corner outfield positions. While Kansas City is set at first base, shortstop, and third, 2nd base is potentially where Toro could find the most playing time, should he make the team.