:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6643437/143505280.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed catcher Jesus Flores to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports:
Jesus flores signs minor-league deal with #dodgers w/ invite to major-league spring training
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 16, 2013
Flores, 28, was the Washington Nationals' back-up catcher since 2007 and figures to vie for a similar role with the Dodgers. A.J. Ellis has the starting role locked up, but the only other catcher on the Dodgers' 40-man roster is relative youngster Tim Federowicz.
The Venezuelan took over the starting catcher role for the Nats last season when Wilson Ramos when down with an injury, but was not able to capitalize. Flores hit just .213/.248/.329 with six home runs in 83 games, forcing the Nats to replace him in September with new acquisition Kurt Suzuki.
Originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 2002, Flores now has five big-league seasons under his belt. The right-handed batter is a career .241/.289/.375 hitter with 23 home runs in just over 1,000 plate appearances.
