The Phillies have reached a one-year deal with veteran free agent infielder Andres Blanco, the team announced.
The deal was first reported by CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury.
Blanco, who turns 33 in April, has been a veteran presence on the Phillies bench for the last 2 1/2 seasons. He hit .253 with a .316 OBP and four home runs in 90 games (36 starts).
With the departures of Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, and A.J. Ellis, Blanco returns as an elder statesmen with leadership qualities into the Phillies clubhouse, a role he’s been lauded for in the last two seasons. He is expected to backup infielders Freddy Galvis, Cesar Hernandez, and Maikel Franco in 2017.
According to the CSN report, Blanco’s one-year deal is worth $3 million. To make room for Blanco on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher David Rollins was designated for assignment.
Earlier in the day, the Phillies claimed former Tampa Bay Rays first-round pick Richie Shaffer off waivers from Seattle.
Shaffer, a 25-year-old, right-handed hitting corner infielder, was traded to the Mariners in a multi-player trade with Tampa on Nov. 18. He hit .213 with five home runs in 51 major league games with the Rays in the last two seasons.
The 25th overall pick in the loaded 2012 draft, Shaffer hit .267/.357/.539 with 26 home runs and 27 doubles in 108 games between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2015.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies granted right-handed pitcher Phil Klein his release. Klein is pursuing an opportunity in Asia, per the Phillies.