The Toronto Blue Jays have strengthened their roster ahead of spring training by signing catcher Christian Bethancourt and left-handed pitcher Richard Lovelady to minor league contracts. Both players will join the team in spring training, providing additional depth as the Jays prepare for the season.

Bethancourt, a 33-year-old from Panama, has eight years of MLB experience with teams like the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. He played 62 games in the previous season, combining for a .241 batting average. His career numbers show a modest .259 batting average with 35 home runs, indicating his role more as a reliable catcher than a power hitter.

Currently, the Blue Jays have only two catchers on their 40-man roster, Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman, making Bethancourt's signing a strategic move to bolster depth at the position.

On the pitching side, 29-year-old Lovelady brings experience from five MLB seasons, primarily with the Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays. With a career ERA of 4.98 over 99.1 innings, he pitched a career-high 35 games last season. His acquisition is part of the Jays' attempt to revitalize a struggling bullpen, which already saw additions in the offseason.