He participated in a Pan Am tournament in Mexico in 2006, and played shortstop for the Cuban Junior National team in 2008. In 2009, he defected to Mexico on a boat with 11 others. Agents and other representatives of the Toronto Blue Jays watched him play in workouts in the Dominican Republic, and signed him after his visa paperwork went through in 2010.

On April 13, 2010, Hechavarria signed a 4-year, $10 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was assigned to extended spring training and first appeared in a game with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. On June 30, 2010, Hechavarria was promoted to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League, where he recorded a .273 batting average and .303 on-base percentage.

On August 4, 2012, Hechavarria was called up to the Toronto Blue Jays active roster for the first time. Hechavarria had a .312 batting average and had scored 78 runs in 102 games with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League (PCL). He appeared in the Triple-A All-Star Game for the PCL.

Hechavarria played third base in his debut due to Brett Lawrie's oblique strain. Hechavarria finished his debut 0-3 with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. Hechavarria recorded his first career hit on August 7, against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hechavarria was returned to Las Vegas on August 25, when Yunel Escobar returned to the Jays from paternity leave. Hechevarria was recalled on August 26 when José Bautista and David Cooper were added to the disabled list. Hechavarria hit his first career home run, a solo shot off starter Phil Hughes, in a game against the New York Yankees on August 28, 2012.

...
Wikipedia