Reds sign Cliff Pennington to minor-league deal

The Reds have agreed to a minor-league deal with infielder Cliff Pennington, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. The deal will pay $1.5 million if Pennington makes the major-league club.

Pennington, 33, hit .253/.306/.330 with three homers in 87 games as a backup infielder for the Angels last season. He has the ability to play at second, shortstop and third, giving Cincinnati an option behind projected starters Scooter Gennett, Jose Peraza and Eugenio Suarez.

Pennington will head to the fifth club of his major-league career, with the Reds joining the A’s, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays and Angels on his journey. He’s the biggest position player addition of the winter for the Reds, who have added relievers David Hernandez and Jared Hughes on major-league deals and infielder Phil Gosselin and outfielder Daniel Robertson on minor-league contracts.

Pennington owns a .243/.310/.341 with 21 homers in parts of 10 seasons. He was a first-round pick of the Athletics in 2005.