Blue Jays claim 1B/OF Loewen

Oct 24, 2008 - 7:20 PM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Toronto Blue Jays on Friday signed first baseman-outfielder Adam Loewen to a minor league contract.

Loewen, a former pitcher, will be making the transformation to position player after suffering recurring stress fractures in his pitching elbow the last two seasons.

The 6-5, 235-pounder is the highest Canadian player drafted, selected by the Baltimore Orioles fourth overall in the 2002 draft. A native of Surrey, British Columbia, the 24-yeard old spent parts of the last three seasons with Baltimore.

Also on Friday, the Blue Jays claimed righthander Bryan Bullington off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.

Bullington, 28, appeared in three games - two starts - for the Indians last season, posting a 0-2 record with a 4.92 ERA.

To make room on the roster, outfielder Kevin Mench was designated for assignment.