Giants sign Melvin Upton Jr. to minor-league deal

Veteran outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Giants, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Upton Jr., who was released by the Blue Jays just before the season started, will report to Triple-A Sacramento. The 32-year-old outfielder, who is owed $16.45 million this year by both the Padres and the Blue Jays after the Jays acquired the 32-year-old before the trade deadline last year, will only be paid the league minimum by the Giants if he is called up to the majors.

Upton Jr. will be the second outfielder the Giants will have signed in three days after picking up Drew Stubbs. The Giants have injuries plaguing their outfields in both the majors and the minors.

Upton Jr. played in 57 games with the Blue Jays, but only hit .196/.261/.318 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 165 plate appearances. He played mostly left field for Toronto, but appeared in center at times during its run to the ALCS, where they lost to the Indians in five games.

Upton Jr. finished the season with 20 homers, 61 RBI and 27 stolen bases while batting .238/.321/.402 in 149 games. In his 12 seasons in the majors with the Rays, Braves, Padres and Blue Jays, he has batted .243 with only 164 homers, 586 RBI and 300 stolen bases.