Rangers sign another MLB veteran to a minor-league deal

The Texas Rangers continued adding proven major-leaguers to minor-league deals ahead of spring training, agreeing Monday to a deal with infielder Darwin Barney and inviting him to big-league camp.

The Barney signing comes a day after the Rangers and veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon agreed to a similar deal, and Barney is the 24th non-roster invitee to spring training.

Barney won the Gold Glove at second base in 2012 while with the Chicago Cubs on the strength of a .997 fielding percentage and 141 consecutive games without an error.

Primarily a second baseman, Barney has logged 83 career games at third base and 57 at shortstop, and has done so as a starter. Barney made 95 starts last season for the Toronto Blue Jays.

His glove is what keeps him in the major leagues. Barney has a career average of .246 with only 31 homers in 2,536 at-bats over eight seasons.

Barney joins a group of utility infielders that includes Jurickson Profar, Drew Robinson, Hanser Alberto and Christian Lopes. Profar is out of minor-league options and is almost certain to make the Opening Day roster.

This story was originally published February 5, 2018 at 4:04 PM with the headline "Rangers sign another MLB veteran to a minor-league deal."