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Toronto Blue Jays Adam Loewen is congratulated by Mike McCoy after hitting a home run against the Baltimore Orioles during seventh inning MLB action in Toronto on Sunday September 11, 2011.Aaron Vincent Elkaim

The Toronto Blue Jays have moved Canadian outfielder Adam Loewen and pitcher Jesse Carlson off the 40-man roster.



The move means that both players are now minor-league free agents and free to sign a new deal with any team they like, including the Blue Jays.



While it is not anticipated that Carlson will be back, the same can't be for Loewen according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos.



"He very well could be back with us in spring training," the GM said on Thursday.



Loewen, a native of Surrey, B.C., returned to the major leagues for the first time since July 6, 2008 and for the first time as a position player when he started on September 7th against the Boston Red Sox.



He wound up appearing in 14 games, batting .188 with one home run and four RBI.



The left-handed hitter spent most of 2011, his third as a position player after injuries derailed his pitching career, with Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League, posting a .306 average with 46 doubles, 17 home runs and 85 RBI.



The 46 doubles ranked second to teammate David Cooper for most in the PCL.



Carlson, 30, spent all of 2011 on the disabled list after experiencing arm soreness during spring training and having rotator cuff surgery.



Anthopoulos said taking Loewen off the 40-man at this time was in part procedural so give both the player and the club the most flexibility moving forward.



Loewen is out of minor league options and the Blue Jays have a glut of players who will be vying for regular work next season, including Rajai Davis, Travis Snider and Eric Thames.



But Anthopoulos said heading into baseball's free agent period the landscape can change fast.



"Right now, to keep his options open, our options open, this was the best thing," he said. "He told me, and I certainly agree, he certainly was going to look at what his other alternatives are. We both agreed that we're going to continue to keep in touch."

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