Blue Jays DFA Cavan Biggio after 6 seasons

The Toronto Blue Jays designated utility player Cavan Biggio for assignment, the team announced Friday.

Toronto designated Biggio to make room on the roster for infielder Spencer Horwitz, who it recalled in a corresponding move.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider and general manager Ross Atkins spoke with Biggio on Thursday, with the skipper calling it a "tough conversation."

Biggio had options remaining, but the 29-year-old had to consent to being sent down because he had accrued more than five years of service time.

Biggio appeared in 490 games over six seasons with the Blue Jays after they selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.

He finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2019 after hitting 16 home runs and 48 RBIs with 14 steals, but he's struggled to produce in recent campaigns. He has a .614 OPS in 44 games this season.

The left-handed hitter, son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, has appeared at every position except pitcher and catcher throughout his career.

Horwitz appeared in 15 big-league games for the Blue Jays in 2023. The 26-year-old will play fairly regularly and could get reps at first, second, and designated hitter, Schneider said, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

Horwitz is in the midst of a terrific Triple-A season for Buffalo, slashing .335/.456/.514 with 22 doubles and 38 RBIs in 57 games.