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TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays had been looking for a right-handed bat to even out a predominantly left-handed lineup. Dejounte Murray Jersey . They may have found a suitable option in infielder Danny Valencia. Toronto acquired Valencia -- whos hitting .333 against left-handed pitchers in his career -- from the Kansas City Royals on Monday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Liam Hendriks and catcher Erik Kratz. "We have a lot of left-handed bats on the roster right now and we certainly could use some help from the right side" Blue Jays manager Alex Anthopoulos said on a conference call. "Dannys had a lot of success. Weve actually inquired about him in the past but havent been able to get anything done. "Weve been really trying to find all year ... that right-handed bat. Hes had success at the big league level doing that and doing it well. Its a good fit for us." Through 36 games with the Royals this season, Valencia has a .282 batting average -- including a .354/.386/.492 slashline against lefties -- with five doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs. Hes expected to report Tuesday to Fenway Park in Boston, where the Jays are currently playing a three-game set. Aside from a valuable bat, the 29-year-old Valencia is also versatile in the field, playing most of his career big league games at third base but also filling in at second and first, as well as the DH spot. Anthopoulos said that flexibility was a big draw for the Blue Jays, who are still missing starting first baseman/designated hitters Edwin Encarnacion (strained quadriceps) and Adam Lind (foot). "I think the No. 1 factor that we got with Danny is his success versus left-handers and what he can do in the box," the GM said. "Whether (Blue Jays manager John Gibbons) decides to put him at third, DH, first, hell ultimately make that decision. Im not concerned where hell find spots for him. I think it will work out fine." Also missing from the Blue Jays lineup is starting third baseman Brett Lawrie, who broke his right index finger after taking a pitch on the hand in Cincinnati five weeks ago. Anthopoulos wouldnt say that having Valencia on the team would mean Lawrie could be permanently shifted to second base, a position hes played 32 games this season. "I wouldnt read anything into it," Anthopoulous said. "Things change so fast. "With respect to Brett, ideally youd like to have any player be at one position the entire time but ... the great thing we see is that our players want to win and theyre willing to play anywhere on the diamond," he added. "Weve even had Encarnacion play left field. "So its been a really selfless attitude across the board. When Brett comes back well see what the health of the team is, well see whos playing well, and well come up with a game plan at that time." Kratz, 34, is expected to report to Kansas City on Tuesday. He hit .198 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 34 games for Toronto, and .299 with a .354 on-base percentage through 27 games at triple-A Buffalo. Hendriks, meanwhile, was 1-0 with a 6.08 ERA in three starts for Toronto. He was a triple-A All-Star this year at Buffalo, going 8-1 in 18 games (16 starts) with a 2.33 ERA. While Anthopoulous said no other moves are in the mix as of now, he didnt rule out the possibility that more trades would be made ahead of the July 31 deadline. "I think theres always a chance but I think all 29 other GMs would say the same thing," he said. "I think its been very active in terms of phone calls, emails, texts, everyone seems to be exchanging ideas but thats expected. ... Trades are hard to make. "I wouldnt say were close to anything, but this deal came together fast so ... were going to continue to talk to clubs." Kawhi Leonard Jersey . Greece was on the wrong end of a 3-0 rout to Colombia in its first game of the tournament. They surrendered a goal in just the sixth minute of the contest, and despite some promising attacking play, failed to crawl back into the match. Japan, on the other hand, struck first in its match with Ivory Coast, with Keisuke Honda putting his side into the lead in the 16th minute. Patty Mills Spurs Jersey .Y. -- The "for sale" sign is up at the Buffalo Bills with the hiring of financial and legal advisers who may begin talking with prospective buyers within the next month. http://www.authenticspursauthority.com/kyle-anders...rsey-c- 19/ . The 20-year-old overager has appeared in 35 games for the Ontario Hockey Leagues Erie Otters this season, scoring 41 goals and adding 27 assists with a plus-28 rating. LONG POND, Pa. -- Denny Hamlin said hell use this weeks suspension of his crew chief as motivation to prove his car can go fast "no matter what." Joe Gibbs Racing crew chief Darian Grubb and car Wesley Sherrill were both suspended through the Sept. 6 race at Richmond. Grubb, the crew chief, was also fined $125,000. Team engineer Mike Wheeler will fill in as the crew chief. It strips Hamlin of two vital crew members during the stretch of the season he would be putting the finishing touches on preparations for NASCARs title-deciding, 10-race Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. Hamlin said the punishment could be a positive because Grubb can spend more time at the shop working on cars. Hamlins car failed post-race inspection Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway because NASCAR said it found issues with several of the covers in the rear firewall of the driver compartment. Loose or missing covers could vent the driver compartment and create more downforce for the car. Grubb and Sherrill, who also each received six months probation, are not eligible to return until the Chase opener on Sept. 14 at Chicago. "Well, you use sttuff like this as motivation to go out there and prove that you can run fast no matter what and you can run well," Hamlin said Friday. Spurs Hats . "We were on a run there, last really month and a half to two months, that I feel like our cars were really starting to turn the corner." He also has confidence in longtime JGR employee Wheeler calling the shots for Sundays race at Pocono Raceway. "Im with the guy that Ive been with for 10 years. Ive been with Mike Wheeler longer than Ive been with anyone in the Cup series," Hamlin said. "We worked together a lot and pretty confident in the job that hes going to do, but on top of that then I get a guy who was my car chief for 10 years, get him back to the race track." Hamlin and team owner Joe Gibbs were docked 75 points apiece in the driver and owner standings. It dropped Hamlin from 11th to 21st in the Sprint Cup standings. But, as a race winner already this season, Hamlin is likely guaranteed a spot in the 16-driver Chase field. "Were pretty confident that well get through it and by Chase time well be a contender," Hamlin said. Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2018 Cheap Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '
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