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Blue Jays trade reliever Trent Thornton to Mariners

The Blue Jays received minor-league infielder Mason McCoy from the Mariners in return.

Trent Thornton's time with the Toronto Blue Jays has come to an end, as the reliever was traded to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league infielder Mason McCoy. McCoy will be assigned to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

Toronto designated Thornton for assignment on Friday after acquiring reliever Genesis Cabrera from the St. Louis Cardinals. Thornton appeared in four games for the Blue Jays in 2023, registering a 1.69 ERA in 5.1 innings. The 29-year-old spent five seasons in the Blue Jays organization, logging a 4.77 ERA over 108 games at the MLB level.

The right-hander had spent most of this year with the Bisons, where he appeared in 22 contests and pitched to a 4.18 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.

Trent Thornton's days with the Blue Jays are over. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)
Trent Thornton's days with the Blue Jays are over. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)

McCoy has yet to make his MLB debut after being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 2017 draft. The 28-year-old has spent the past three seasons at the triple-A level.

In 2023, McCoy has slashed .234/.330/.407 with 11 home runs in 87 games for the Tacoma Rainiers. His best minor-league season came in 2022, when he hit 21 homers and posted an .805 OPS in 124 games.

The University of Iowa product offers some defensive versatility in the infield. He has played primarily shortstop in 2023 but has also seen time at second base and third base.