Melvin Upton Jr. Released by Toronto Blue Jays, Will Clear Waivers Wednesday

Outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. has been released by the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, and will clear waivers Wednesday if he isn't claimed by another team in the interim.

Upton, 32, hit just .196 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 57 games with the Blue Jays last season.

He also struggled mightily in spring training, hitting just .194 in 14 Grapefruit League games with three home runs. With Kevin Pillar and Jose Bautista locked into the right field and center field positions, respectively, and Ezequiel Carrera and Dalton Pompey both able to play in left field, the Blue Jays simply no longer had a need for Upton.

Add in the fact that Kendrys Morales will serve as the designated hitter, and Upton was unlikely to see much playing time in Toronto. 

Before being traded to the Blue Jays last year, however, Upton did hit .257 with 20 homers, 61 RBI and 20 steals in 92 games for the San Diego Padres. The veteran is still potentially capable of being productive for a team even if his tenure with the Blue Jays never lived up to expectations. He could hold value for a team seeking a fourth outfielder.

As for Upton's next move, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported Saturday that the Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants "could be potential fits."