Blue Jays pick up club option on Smoak, decline club option on Solarte

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have exercised their US$8-million club option on first baseman Justin Smoak and have declined the $5.5-million club option on infielder Yangervis Solarte.

The Blue Jays announced the moves Wednesday evening on Twitter.

Smoak had a breakout season in 2017, batting .270 with 38 home runs and 90 runs batted in.

He remained productive in 2018 with a .242 average, 25 homers and 77 RBIs.