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Rays sign Alexei Ramirez

The veteran shortstop will head to St. Petersburg for the rest of the season.

Cincinnati Reds v San Diego Padres Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

The Rays have signed shortstop Alexei Ramirez for the rest of the season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Ramirez was recently released by the Padres after hitting .240/.275/.330 with five home runs in 128 games so far this season. The former All-Star signed a 1-year, $3 million deal with San Diego last winter after the White Sox declined his club option.

Tampa Bay will be without shortstop Matt Duffy for the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury, so the addition of Ramirez will provide some short-term depth for the rest of the season. The Rays could also be looking at the addition as a tryout for Ramirez, who is a free agent after the season and could provide a middle infield option for the team next season.

Ramirez, 34, is a veteran of 9 major-league seasons with the White Sox (2008-15) and Padres (2016). He has hit .270/.307/.393 with 114 home runs in that span, and was named an All-Star with the White Sox in 2014.