Major League Baseball

Kelly Johnson, Rays reach agreement

Published Jan. 28, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Tampa Bay Rays have reached agreement with free-agent second baseman Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract, according to major league sources.

The move will enable the Rays to use Ben Zobrist in right field as well at second base, enabling them to hold off promoting top prospect Wil Myers.

Johnson, 30, also might see time in the outfield. He played 79 games in left field for the Atlanta Braves in 2005.

The Rays' 40-man roster currently is full, requiring them to make a corresponding move.

Zobrist, 31, is a good defensive second baseman, but he started 59 games in right field this season and likely will play some outfield for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Johnson batted .225 with a .678 OPS last season for the Toronto Blue Jays. He is coming off two years of subpar offensive production after batting .284 with 26 homers and an .865 OPS for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010.

Myers, 22, is almost certain to start the season at Triple-A after arriving in a trade from the Kansas City Royals in December.

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