Giants claim Tony Abreu off of waivers

The San Francisco Giants have claimed infielder Tony Abreu off of waivers from the Kansas City Royals, the team has announced.

Abreu, 28, has bounced around between Triple-A and the big leagues since 2007, but has never logged serious time in the majors. Signed by the Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 2002, Abreu was traded to the Diamondbacks following the 2009 season then picked up by the Royals prior to last season.

Despite his small stature -- he is listed at 5' 9" -- the switch-hitting Abreu has shown flashes of gap power throughout his time in the minors -- slugging .456 overall in his seasons on the farm -- but he's never been able to demonstrate that ability in the pros.

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Abreu has played in just 168 games over parts of four big-league seasons -- missing all of 2008 while recovering from a torn labrum in his hip -- and is a .252/.280/.355 hitter with 34 extra-base hits in 464 plate appearances in that span.

Abreu is unlikely to make a big impact for the Giants, but his light-hitting approach and ability to man the middle infield could set him up nicely to be the club's new Emmanuel Burriss.