Braves sign former All-Star Kipnis to minor-league deal
Veteran second baseman Jason Kipnis has signed with the Atlanta Braves, he announced on Twitter.
Atlanta here we come! Excited to join the Braves organization this season! pic.twitter.com/3btCYpt3Fx
— Jason Kipnis (@TheJK_Kid) February 15, 2021
He signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training, the Braves announced.
Kipnis spent last season serving as the primary second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. The 33-year-old slashed .237/.341/.404 with three home runs, 12 extra-base hits, and 16 RBIs across 44 games.
With Ozzie Albies holding down the keystone, Kipnis will compete for a bench spot as a backup infielder and left-handed bench bat. The Braves lack infield depth behind Albies, shortstop Dansby Swanson, and third baseman Austin Riley.
Kipnis' competition will likely include veteran corner infielder Pablo Sandoval and utility player Ehire Adrianza, who are also in camp as non-roster invitees, as well as switch-hitting infielder Johan Camargo.
The two-time All-Star is a lifetime .260/.333/.416 hitter with 1,147 hits, 126 home runs, and 545 RBIs across parts of 10 big-league seasons. His best years came with the Cleveland Indians, with whom he was a key player on their 2016 AL pennant-winning club.