The Pirates signed free-agent utility player Nick Franklin, who was limited to just two at-bats in the major leagues last season because of injury, to a minor-league contract Wednesday with an invitation to big-league spring training.
Franklin, 27, played in only one game for the Brewers in 2018 and went 0-for-2. He was also limited to just 26 minor league games because of a severely strained right quadriceps muscle and hit a combined .359/.452/.603 with four home runs and four stolen bases at three levels.
After making his lone appearance in the majors May 8, Franklin was placed on the disabled list the next day. He played in just six minor league rehab games the remainder of the season.
Franklin is a lifetime .214/.285/.359 hitter with 24 homers and 17 steals in 301 games over six seasons with the Mariners (2013-14), Rays (2014-16), Brewers (2017-18) and Angels (2017). Seattle chose him in the first round of the 2009 amateur draft with the 27th overall pick from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Franklin has played 143 games at second base during his career. He has also made 37 appearances in left field, 30 at shortstop, 19 at first base, 11 in right field and one at third base. Franklin also pitched in one game for the Rays in 2015.
His best season came as a rookie with the Mariners in 2013 when he batted .225/.303/.382 with 12 homers and six steals in 102 games.