Tigers sign Efren Navarro to minor-league deal

The Tigers have tried the past couple years to have a corner infielder in the minor leagues ready in case of injury to Miguel Cabrera (whose calf injury two years ago led to the Marc Krauss’ brief Tigers tenure) or Victor Martinez. It appears they have an early candidate in Efren Navarro, signed to a minor-league contract.

The signing showed up in Baseball America’s update of minor-league deals signed over the holidays and into the New Year.

You might remember Navarro, a left-handed hitter, from his time as a first baseman and corner outfielder in 2014 and 2015 with the Angels (he went 4-for-9 with a home run and three RBIs during a three-game series against the Tigers in 2014). The 30-year-old, a former 50th-round pick out of UNLV, spent last year in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League with the Mariners and Cardinals organizations, combining to bat .275 (128-for-465) with seven home runs, 48 RBIs and a .704 OPS.

No word yet whether Navarro’s deal comes with a non-roster invite to Spring Training, but it would make sense. With Cabrera and Martinez set to represent Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March, the Tigers will have plenty of at-bats to go around in Grapefruit League play.