The 2010 off-season for the Blue Jays has begun with infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir being claimed on waivers by the San Diego Padres.  The POTD captures the Mississippi native against his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, during interleague play at the Rogers Centre earlier this season.

Hoffpauir was claimed on waivers from the Cardinals by the Blue Jays last November.  He reached the bigs for the first time in 2009 by batting .250/.438/.417 with two doubles and two RBI in 16 plate appearances.

Hoffpauir was called up to Toronto from Triple-A Las Vegas June 21st after Edwin Encarnacion was designated for assignment.

Hoffpauir recorded hits in his first two games with the Jays, including a double, as he took over at third base for Encarnacion.

Unfortunately, Hoffpauir could not maintain his early .333 clip as he gets under a pitch here against Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright June 24th.

The result of the at-bat is posted on JaysVision.  Hoffpauir recorded four more hits and two walks in his first trial with the Jays, including a two-hit game at Yankee Stadium July 2nd.  However, he was sent back to Las Vegas after hitting just .214.  The 5-foot-9, 190 pound infielder returned to the 51's and batted .295/.376/.494 with 16 homers, 26 doubles, six triples and 73 runs batted in.

The 27 year-old was called up to Baseball North in early September and found a new number on the back of his jersey when Yunel Escobar took number five after being dealt from Atlanta.  Hoffpauir wore number three and managed just six more plate appearances and one hit in four games.  He finishes his time in Toronto with a .206/.250/.235 batting line with goose eggs in the home run and RBI columns.

All the best to Jarrett Hoffpauir in his return to National League baseball.