TORONTO — The Blue Jays exercised a $2.5 million option on catcher Rod Barajas Friday, rewarding the 33-year-old after he batted .249 with 11 homers and 49 RBIs.

Barajas agreed to a one-year deal with Toronto last January after one season with Philadelphia, and the Blue Jays guaranteed him $1.2 million: a $300,000 signing bonus, a $400,000 salary and a $500,000 buyout of the option.

Barajas played in 104 games last season, 26 shy of the threshold for guaranteeing the 2009 salary.

He signed with the Phillies in November 2006, after pulling out of a $5.25 million, two-year deal with Toronto, then switched agents.

A 10-year veteran who has also played for Arizona and Texas, Barajas has a career average of .241 with 73 homers and 284 RBIs