DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays signed Shannon Stewart to a minor league deal today and gave their former first-round pick an invitation to spring training.

The right-handed hitting outfielder spent last season with the Oakland Athletics, hitting .290 with 12 homers and 48 RBIs in 146 games.

Stewart, who turns 34 tomorrow, was taken 19th overall in the June 1992 draft and is a career .298 hitter with 566 RBIs, 193 stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .362. Leg problems in recent years have slowed the once speedy Cincinnati native.

It's unclear how Stewart fits into the Blue Jays' plans. They have four outfielders — Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, Reed Johnson and Matt Stairs — on the roster and prospect Adam Lind knocking on the door.

Stewart spent parts of eight seasons with Toronto before he was dealt to the Minnesota Twins for Bobby Kielty in 2003.

Stewart played in 855 games with Toronto, batting .301 with 218 doubles, 73 home runs and 163 stolen bases.