NEW YORK — Danny Espinosa and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
The veteran switch-hitter gives the Mets even more depth in a crowded infield. He could be a backup option at shortstop behind Amed Rosario.
Espinosa spent last season in Triple-A with three organizations: the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Phillies. He was released by Philadelphia in August.
The 31-year-old is a .221 career hitter with 98 homers and 316 RBIs in 872 major league games over eight seasons with the Nationals, Angels, Mariners and Rays. He has mostly played second base but was Washington’s everyday shortstop in 2016, when he batted .209 with a career-high 24 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Espinosa has also played third base, first base and left field in the big leagues.
The Mets announced the deal Friday.
Pitcher Josh Tomlin, Brewers agree to minor league deal
Right-hander Josh Tomlin has agreed to a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who hope he can follow Wade Miley’s example of earning a job as a non-roster player and becoming part of their starting rotation.
If added to the 40-man roster, the 34-year-old right-hander would get a one-year contract paying $1.25 million. He would have a chance to earn $2.25 million in performance bonuses.
Tomlin was 2-5 with a career-worst 6.14 ERA last season in nine starts and 23 relief appearances for Cleveland, his only team in nine big league seasons. He was 0-4 with a 7.84 ERA when dropped from the rotation in mid-May and stayed in the bullpen until the second half of September.
He is 61-53 with a 4.77 ERA in 144 starts and 39 relief appearances.
The NL Central champion Brewers announced the deal Friday.
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