Astros sign Cuban shortstop Anibal Sierra

HOUSTON - The Houston Astros signed Cuban shortstop Anibal Sierra on Saturday. Terms of the contract weren't disclosed.

The 22-year-old Sierra played for Avispas de Santiago from 2012-14 in Cuba's Serie Nacional. Sierra appeared in 91 games, playing 47 games at second base and 26 games at shortstop.

''Anibal is an athletic shortstop who can hit and play multiple positions, and possesses the intelligence, work ethic, and baseball instincts to succeed at the highest levels,'' Astros international director Oz Ocampo said.

Sierra is 6-foot-1 and 183 pounds.

''Anibal stood out to me after my first look in November 2015 in the Dominican Republic,'' Astros senior scouting adviser Charlie Gonzalez said.

Last week, the Astros signed star Cuban free-agent Yuliesky Gurriel to a major league contract.