Rangers, Ciriaco agree to minor-league deal

The Texas Rangers improved their infield depth Wednesday, agreeing to a minor-league deal with veteran shortstop Pedro Ciriaco that includes an invitation to spring training, the club's vice president of communications announced.

Ciriaco, who turned 30 in September, appeared in a career-high 84 games for the Atlanta Braves in 2015, hitting .261/.275/.352 (75 OPS+) while managing two defensive runs saved and 0.3 WAR. Over parts of six major-league seasons, Ciriaco owns a .661 OPS (82 OPS+) in 649 plate appearances with 35 stolen bases across stints with five teams.

Ciriaco has MLB experience at every position except catcher, and will likely compete this spring with Hanser Alberto for the Rangers' backup infielder job, providing depth behind veterans Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus, as well as 21-year-old second baseman Rougned Odor.