NATIONAL HARBOR -- — Versatile infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce has been in and out of the Orioles organization several times, and now it appears that he is out again.
Pearce has agreed to a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to ESPN, and will play for his fourth American League East franchise. He already has played with the Orioles, Yankees and Rays.
Pearce signed with the Rays as a free agent last January, but returned to the Orioles in July. He suffered a forearm injury and underwent surgery to repair it, but is expected to be ready for spring training.
He had been a bit player for much of his major league career before turning in a breakout performance with the Orioles in 2014, when he played a key role in the club's most successful season during the Buck Showalter/Dan Duquette era.
His playing time was limited in 2015 and 2016 because of injuries, but his per-game statistics over the past three seasons are solid and his versatility clearly was attractive to the Blue Jays, who may not be able to retain free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion.