The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly signed catcher Jesus Flores to a minor-league deal, tossing another name into the mix to be the Albuquerque Isotopes' starter behind the plate for the upcoming season.
Flores, 28, joins fellow free-agent signees Eliezer Alfonzo, Wilkin Castillo and Ramon Castro on minor-league contracts. Those four will compete with last year's Isotopes starter, Tim Federowicz, to be the backup to the Dodgers' A.J. Ellis.
Federowicz has the advantage in being on the 40-man roster, but lacks the experience of the four veterans.
Flores hit just .213/.248/.329 with six home runs and 26 RBI for the Washington Nationals last season. He hurt his shoulder back in 2009 and missed the entire 2010 season, while appearing in just 30 games with the Nationals in 2011.
For his career, Flores has hit .241/.289/.375, with his best season coming back in 2008 when he batted .256/.296/.402 with eight home runs and 59 RBI.
Pitchers and catchers will report to Dodgers spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 12.
For more on how the Dodgers' farm system is shaping up for 2013, check out this ongoing series at Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, with features on catchers, first basemen and second basemen, with more to come.
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