Indians sign Cristian Guzman

This afternoon the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed free agent infielder Cristian Guzman to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League spring training. He is in camp and will wear #0.

Guzman turns 34-years old on March 21st, and in his 12-year, 1406 game Major League career he has compiled a .271 AVG (1459-for-5382) with 238 doubles, 62 home runs, 467 RBI and 125 stolen bases. He did not play last season because he was recovering from right shoulder surgery that was originally performed in October of 2009. He returned in 2010 and played in 89 combined games witht he Nationals and Rangers (.266, 2 HR, 26 RBI, .648 OPS), but reportedly complications arose which sidelined him all of last season.

Guzman is a two-time All Star (2001, 2008) that has spent most of his career at shortstop, though has played in 72 games in his career at second base and 8 games in right field. He is expected to be in the mix for a utility role with the big league club as an option to backup shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and second baseman Jason Kipnis.

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