C Flores agrees to minor-league deal with Dodgers


(Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

Former Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores has reached an agreement on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Flores, 28, hit .216 in 83 games with the Nationals last season and threw out nine of 60 base stealers (15 percent). He moved into a starting role in mid-may after Wilson Ramos suffered a knee injury before eventually losing the job to Kurt Suzuki.

Once a promising prospect, Flores’ career was derailed by injuries that included a torn labrum in a shoulder. He missed part of the 2009 season and all of 2010 before returning in 2011 with limited effectiveness.

With the Dodgers, Flores will be competing in spring training with prospect Tim Federowicz for a backup job behind starter A.J. Ellis.