Rays sign Wilson Betemit, four others to minor-league deals

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Veteran infielder Wilson Betemit is among five players agreeing to minor contracts with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The team said Thursday that Betemit, outfielders Justin Christian and Jeremy Moore, catcher Eddy Rodriguez and right-handed pitcher Juan Sandoval also received invitations to major league spring training.

The 32-year-old Betemit is a .267 career hitter who has played parts of 11 seasons with the Braves, Dodgers, Yankees, White Sox, Royals, Tigers and Orioles.

Christian has spent portions of three seasons with the Yankees and Giants. Moore appeared in eight games for the Angels three years ago, and Rodriguez played in two games with the Padres in 2012.

Sandoval was in spring training with the Rays a year ago, then split last season between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.