MICHAEL STEFANIC NEWS

Signs with Athletics as NRI The Athletics signed Stefanic to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Stefanic saw spot duty with the Blue Jays in 2025 but spent most of the year at Triple-A Buffalo, where he slashed .287/.403/.383 over 106 contests. The utility player will turn 30 in February and is a career .227/.314/.267 hitter over parts of four major-league seasons.

DECEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent Stefanic elected free agency Sunday.

Impact Stefanic spent the majority of his 2025 season at Triple-A Buffalo, batting .287 with six homers, 51 RBI, six stolen bags and 48 runs scored in 106 appearances. He was utilized briefly in the big leagues, going 4-for-22 with three walks in nine games. Stefanic will search for an opportunity elsewhere following this transaction.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Clears waivers The Blue Jays outrighted Stefanic to Triple-A Buffalo on June 7.

Impact Though he's no longer a member of the Blue Jays' 40-man roster, Stefanic remains in the organization and should continue to play regularly at Buffalo. Since clearing waivers and reporting to Buffalo, Stefanic has gone 9-for-29 (.310 average) with three doubles, four walks, four runs and one RBI in seven games.

JUNE 16 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jays RHP Scherzer throws live BP, could pitch in minor league game this weekend

Blue Jays manager John Schneider says right-hander Max Scherzer threw 40 pitches of live batting practice Tuesday and could pitch in a minor league game this weekend

JUNE 3 • Associated Press

Andrés Giménez, Tyler Heineman activated from IL; Michael Stefanic, Ali Sánchez designated for assignment As expected, infielder Andrés Giménez and catcher Tyler Heineman have...

JUNE 3 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

Blue Jays reinstate Giménez, Heineman off IL The Blue Jays reinstated Andrés Giménez off the 10-day injured list and catcher Tyler Heineman off the 7-day concussion injured list before...

JUNE 3 • MLB.COM

Booted from 40-man roster The Blue Jays designated Stefanic for assignment Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact The transaction clears space on the active roster for the return of Andres Gimenez (quad). Stefanic will likely pass through waivers unclaimed.

JUNE 3 • ROTOWIRE

Called up to majors The Blue Jays selected Stefanic's contract from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Impact The move corresponds with the Blue Jays placing Andres Gimenez (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list. Stefanic signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays in November after appearing in 40 games for the Angels in 2024, posting a ..556 OPS with eight RBI over 124 plate appearances. He's been more productive in the minors this season, slashing .319/.454/.372 with four stolen bases, seven runs scored and 13 RBI in 119 plate appearances. With Gimenez on the shelf, Stefanic should see some playing time at second base on days when Ernie Clement shifts to third.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Inks minors deal with Toronto The Blue Jays signed Stefanic to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports reports.

Impact Stefanic elected free agency after being outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster in October but has managed a strike a deal with a new club. The 28-year-old has slashed just .232/.317/.275 over parts of three big-league seasons and will likely begin 2025 as a utility infielder at Triple-A Buffalo.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bumped off roster Stefanic was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Impact Stefanic earned a career-high 124 plate appearances in 2024 but maintained just a .556 OPS with zero home runs. Depending on the Angels' offseason moves, Stefanic could be a depth option along the infield in 2025.

OCTOBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Tuesday Stefanic (calf) will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Impact Stefanic hadn't started in any of the last four games after he was removed from Friday's game against the Astros with calf tightness, but he felt well enough to make an appearance off the bench Sunday. His return to the lineup Wednesday indicates that he's healthy, but Stefanic will likely have to settle for more of a part-time role once Brandon Drury is fully recovers from a hamstring injury. Drury is back in the lineup Wednesday as the Angels' designated hitter following a five-game absence.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Tuesday Stefanic isn't in the Angels' lineup Tuesday versus the White Sox.

Impact Stefanic appeared as a pinch runner during Sunday's contest, suggesting that he's moved past his calf issue, but he'll grab a seat on the bench Tuesday while Charles Leblanc starts at second base in place of the injured Brandon Drury (hamstring).

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Sunday Stefanic (calf) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Impact Stefanic will be on the bench for a second straight game while he tends to a right calf injury. With Brandon Drury (hamstring) also day-to-day and not included in the lineup, the Angels will have spots available in the infield for Jack Lopez at second base and Eric Wagaman at third base.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Saturday Stefanic (calf) isn't in the Angels' lineup for Saturday's game against Houston, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic made an early exit from Friday's game with what was labeled as minor tightness in his right calf, but it seems to be serious enough to warrant sitting him down Saturday. Jack Lopez will get the starting nod at second base instead and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with minor tightness Stefanic was removed from Friday's game versus the Astros due to right calf tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Ron Washington said after Friday's loss that Stefanic's injury is relatively minor, so an extended absence is unlikely. If he and Brandon Drury (hamstring) are both unable to play Saturday, Jack Lopez would be the favorite to start at second base.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Retreating to bench Wednesday Stefanic is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic will head to the bench after he went 1-for-9 with a walk, a run and an RBI while starting in each of the Angels' previous three games. With Anthony Rendon (oblique) recently landing on the injured list, Stefanic should have a chance at seeing steadier playing time in the Anaheim infield over the final two and a half weeks of the season.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time dropping off Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Though he'll be included in the lineup in the series finale, Stefanic's playing time appears to be drying up after he previously started five and four consecutive games earlier this month. Stefanic has gone just 1-for-24 over his last seven contests and will likely continue to play second fiddle at the keystone to Brandon Drury.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Getting fourth straight start Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Nationals, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic will pick up his fourth straight start, all of which have come against left-handed pitching. Though he's slashing .462/.500/.538 in eight games since being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on July 30, Stefanic could be limited to a short-side platoon role in the infield now that Anthony Rendon has recently returned from the injured list.

AUGUST 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies three hits in Game 2 Stefanic went 3-for-4 with a double and a run Wednesday in Game 2 of a doubleheader split with the Yankees.

Impact Stefanic didn't get into Game 1, but he started the second contest at second base and logged his first three-hit game of the campaign. The infielder has three multi-hit performances over his past four games and has gone 7-for-13 (.538 average) during that span, though only one of the seven knocks has gone for extra bases. Despite his recent solid hitting and .304 average on the season, Stefanic may see less playing time with Anthony Rendon getting activated from the injured list Tuesday.

AUGUST 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to lose work with Rendon back Stefanic is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Impact Stefanic had occupied the keystone in four of the Angels' last five games, but his brief run of steady playing time will likely come to an end with the return of Anthony Rendon (back), who was activated from the injured list Tuesday. With Rendon starting at third base in the early game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Brandon Drury will shift from the hot corner to second base while bumping Stefanic back to the bench. The Angels should still have a regular spot in the lineup for Stefanic against left-handed pitching.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gaining playing time at 2B Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Mets.

Impact Stefanic has now drawn four starts in six games since he was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake. Three of those starts have come against left-handed pitching, but he could end up getting regular work versus righties if the Angels opt to shift Brandon Drury off the keystone and have him fill in at third base while Luis Rengifo (wrist) and Anthony Rendon (back) are on the injured list. Stefanic has recorded a pair of base hits in both of his past two starts, bringing his batting average up to .275 over 40 at-bats with the big club this season.

AUGUST 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back on big-league roster The Angels recalled Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Impact He's taking the roster spot of the injured Anthony Rendon (back). Stefanic could see some action in the infield, especially if the Angels wind up trading Luis Rengifo.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Called up by Halos Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Impact Stefanic spent the first two months of the season on the injured list with a strained left quad but was activated in late May and placed in Triple-A. At Salt Lake City, he slashed .333/.431/.426 in 54 plate appearances and will replace Kyren Paris on the Angels' active roster. Stefanic should mix in at second base until Brandon Drury (hamstring) returns from the IL.

JUNE 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Activated, optioned to Triple-A The Angels reinstated Stefanic (quad) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Impact Stefanic has been on the injured list all season due to a left quad strain. He began playing rehab games at rookie ball May 13 and moved to Triple-A on May 21, going 9-for-19 with six RBI in six games with the Bees. He'll remain in Salt Lake despite being fully healthy, and Jose Cisnero (shoulder) will move to the 60-day IL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stefanic.

MAY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Stefanic will sit Saturday against Oakland, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Impact Stefanic sits after starting nine straight games, a run in which he hit .419/.471/.516. Mike Moustakas will take over at third base.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE