Miguel Tejada made the Kansas City Royals’ season-opening roster as a utility infielder, manager Ned Yost announced Friday.
The 39-year-old Tejada, a former American League Most Valuable Player and six-time All-Star, last played in the major leagues in 2011 for San Francisco.
Going into Friday’s exhibition game against Cleveland, Tejada was hitting .353 in 34 spring at-bats.
Making the Royals’ 40-man roster will activate a one-year, $1.1 million contract. He also will have a chance to make $200,000 in performance bonuses based on games played.
Last season, Tejada played for Baltimore’s Triple-A team but was released June 25 after hitting .259 with no home runs and 18 RBI. He’s a career .285 hitter with 304 homers and 1,282 RBI.