Royals Sign Catcher Ramon Hernandez to Minor League Deal

The Royals have signed veteran Major League catcher Ramon Hernandez to a minor league deal according to Ken Rosenthal. Financial terms are not yet known.

The 37-year old Venezuelan is a fifteen year veteran, having played for the Athletics, Padres, Orioles, Reds, Rockies, and Dodgers. He is a lifetime .263/.327/.417 hitter with one All-Star appearance in his career. Last year in just 55 plate appearances for the Dodgers, he hit .208/.291/.438 before he was released in June. Hernandez was known as an average defender in his prime and has thrown out only 30% of would-be base-stealers throughout his career.

Hernandez will presumably be invited to spring training to compete for the backup catcher's role with Brett Hayes and Francisco Pena.