White Sox sign Morneau to 1-year deal

Justin Morneau is on his way back to the big leagues.

The Chicago White Sox have signed the free-agent first baseman to a one-year, $1-million contract. The team also announced Thursday that they placed Morneau on the 15-day disabled list.

Morneau underwent offseason elbow surgery to repair a tendon in December, and is expected to join the White Sox in mid-to-late July after he undergoes a rehab assignment, general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement, according to JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago.

"Justin provides us with a quality veteran threat from the left side who fits into the middle of the batting order," Hahn said regarding Morneau.

The 35-year-old last played in MLB in 2015 with the Colorado Rockies, slashing .310/.363/.458 in 168 at-bats. The Rockies declined a $9-million mutual option on Morneau after concussions limited the Canadian to 49 games last season.