John Gibbons saw his 2016 salary automatically become guaranteed Thursday when the calendar turned to the new year.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced at the end of the regular season that Gibbons would return in 2015. Under the terms of his contract, an additional option year kicks in as long as he is still employed by the club on Jan. 1.

Gibbons, 52, has guided the Blue Jays to a 462-472 record over parts of seven seasons.