TORONTO

Jays sign Escobar to two-year contract extension

The Canadian Press Published Sunday, June 19, 2011 1:20PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar chases a ground ball hit by Baltimore Orioles' Craig Tatum in the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 16, 2010, in Baltimore. Tatum was out on the play. The Blue Jays won 4-2. (AP / Gail Burton)

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TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays signed shortstop Yunel Escobar to a two-year contract extension Sunday worth US$10 million.

Escobar will receive $5 million in both 2012 and 2013. The deal includes two club options of $5 million for 2014 and 2015.

Heading into Sunday's game with Cincinnati, the 28-year-old has appeared in 66 games this season, posting a .281 average with eight home runs and 26 RBIs.

Escobar, a native of Havana, Cuba, was acquired in 2010 along with left-handed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes from the Atlanta Braves for shortstop Alex Gonzalez, lefty Tim Collins and infielder Tyler Pastornicky.

Escobar has batted .278 with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 126 games as a Blue Jay. He has a career average of .288 with a total of 41 homers and 225 RBIs.