Nats sign Brignac to minors deal, Espinosa goes to Yankees

The Nationals are bringing in some extra infield insurance, signing veteran Reid Brignac to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp this spring.

Brignac's signing, which was confirmed by a club source and first reported by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, gives the Nats another experienced infielder whose services may be required if Daniel Murphy isn't ready to return from his October knee surgery by opening day.

The Nationals already have Wilmer Difo available to start at second base in Murphy's absence, or at worst to open the season as the club's backup middle infielder. But Brignac has experience at both second base and shortstop and has played before for new Nats manager Dave Martinez.

Brignac, 32, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Rays, when Martinez served as bench coach under Joe Maddon. He had a career year in 2010, hitting .256 with eight homers, 45 RBIs and a .692 OPS in 113 games.

Having bounced around five different franchises since, Brignac has been unable to find consistent playing time in the majors. He spent last season with the Astros' Triple-A Fresno club, hitting .251 with 13 homers, 52 RBIs and a .737 OPS in 110 games.

The Nationals hope to have Murphy ready for opening day, which falls a little more than five months after he had microfracture surgery on his right knee. But they have instructed the veteran second baseman, who was still on crutches last month at Nats Winterfest, not to rush back and are making contingency plans in case he's not ready to begin the season on the active roster.

Meanwhile, former Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa has found yet another new home, signing a minor league contract with the Yankees with an invitation to big league camp, according to MLB.com.

A mainstay with the Nationals from 2010-16, Espinosa has endured through a meandering 13 months since he was initially traded to the Angels. He played in the majors for the Angels, Mariners and Rays last season, hitting a combined .173 with six homers, 31 RBIs and a .523 OPS in 93 games.

Now Espinosa will attempt to make it back with the Yankees, competing this spring with Ronald Torreyes and Jace Peterson for playing time.