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Cleveland Indians sign veteran OF Melky Cabrera to minor league contract

The 33-year-old Cabrera hit a combined .285 for the White Sox and Royals in 2017, with 17 home runs and 85 runs batted in.
Sep 14, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Melky Cabrera (53) scores in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Indians have officially announced the signing of veteran outfielder Melky Cabrera to a minor league contract on Wednesday.

The move was first reported by MLB.com's Jon Morosi and Dominican Republic baseball reporter Hector Gomez late Monday.

The 33-year-old hit a combined .285 for the White Sox and Royals in 2017, with 17 home runs and 85 runs batted in. His 42 doubles in 2016 ranked tied for third in the American League. Cabrera has played for the Yankees, Braves, Royals, Giants, White Sox, and the Blue Jays in his 13-year career, compiling a lifetime batting average of .286.

Cabrera has been an All-Star once in his career, winning the game's MVP award in 2012 as a member of the San Francisco Giants. That was also the season that he was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The Indians are in need of some offensive output right now. They are hitting just .219 as a team, which ranks next-to-last in all of baseball. The Tribe has also been dealing with the absence of Lonnie Chisenhall in right field, out of action due to a calf injury.

According to the Indians, Cabrera is now working out at the team's Player Development Complex in Goodyear, Arizona and will join one of the Tribe's minor league affiliates next week.

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