Diamondbacks sign Nick Punto to minor league contract

By foxsports
Published

PHOENIX (AP) Infielder Nick Punto has agreed to a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes an invitation to spring training.

Arizona announced the deal Wednesday.

If the Diamondbacks add Punto to their 40-man roster, they will only have to pay him the major league minimum of $507,500 - or a prorated share if he's added after opening day. Punto is guaranteed $2.75 million from the Oakland Athletics, who released him in December.

Punto has played for six clubs in parts of 14 major league seasons. He has a career .243 batting average. Last season, he appeared in 73 games with the A's, hitting .207.

Punto spent time with Philadelphia, Minnesota, St. Louis, Boston, Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland.