Report: Blue Jays eyeing Nelson Cruz

The Toronto Blue Jays are interested in signing veteran slugger Nelson Cruz, a source told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.

The San Diego Padres designated Cruz for assignment in early July and subsequently released him.

Cruz, 43, authored a .245/.283/.399 slash line with five home runs and 23 RBIs over 49 games for the Padres this season.

The seven-time All-Star sits 36 round-trippers away from 500 for his career.

Toronto has collectively hit 102 homers this year, which is good enough for 16th overall in the majors. However, the team is off last year's pace after finishing seventh with 200 long balls.