Major League Baseball

Padres sign infielder Cantu for 1 year

Published Jan. 24, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

The Padres continued adding depth on Monday, agreeing with corner infielder Jorge Cantu on a one-year contract, according to a major-league source.

Cantu, who turns 29 on Jan. 30, likely will serve as a right-handed hitter off the bench, spelling Brad Hawpe at first and Chase Headley at third.

A seven-year veteran, Cantu averaged 22 homers and 97 RBIs in 2008 and '09, but his production dropped off last season. He batted a combined .256/.304/.392 with 11 homers and 56 RBIs, struggling to adapt to a part-time role after getting traded from the Marlins to the Rangers.