Pirates sign free agent OF Michael Saunders to minor deal

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BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed free agent outfielder Michael Saunders to a minor league contract and invited him to major league spring training.

The Pirates announced the move Wednesday.

The 31-year-old Saunders hit a combined .202 with six home runs and 21 RBIs in 73 games for Philadelphia and Toronto last season.

Saunders was an AL All-Star in 2016 with the Blue Jays, hitting 24 homers with 57 RBIs while batting .253.

Saunders is a career .232 hitter with 81 home runs and 263 RBIs in 775 games with Seattle, the Phillies and Blue Jays.