The Cleveland Indians have agreed to terms with outfielder Will Venable on a minor-league contract.
Venable is expected to sign the contract after he undergoes a physical. The deal includes an invitation to the big league camp.
Venable, 33, will compete for a backup outfield position on a team that won’t have its best outfielder when the season begins. Michael Brantley is still recovering from shoulder surgery and expected to miss the first few weeks of the season.
Venable batted .244 with six homers and 33 RBIs last season while splitting time with the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers.
The eight-year veteran had spent his entire career with the Padres until being dealt to Texas in mid-August. He has a .251 career average to go with 81 home runs.