At the Winter Meetings, the Dodgers expressed interest in utility standout Alfredo Amezaga, who missed a majority of last year after undergoing microfracture surgery to his left knee.
On Tuesday, the Dodgers apparantly were convinced Amezaga was worth signing.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Amezaga has agreed to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Dodgers Spring Training. Amezaga's agent, Mike Nicotera, confirmed the agreement.
The 31-year-old has been with the Marlins since 2006. A switch-hitter, Amezaga has a career batting average of .251 with a .311 on-base percentage. A knee injury limited him to 27 games last year, and over the summer he underwent microfracture surgery after experiencing a bone bruise.
Because Amezaga is recovering from the knee surgery, the Marlins felt it was too risky to tender him a contract in December. A natural middle infielder who is an above-average center fielder, Amezaga made $1.3 million this past year.
If Amezaga makes the Dodgers, he will earn $650,000, and he can make up to $800,000 if he reaches incentives.
In recent weeks, Amezaga worked out for several teams in South Florida.
Now that he is not returning to the Marlins, Emilio Bonifacio is a candidate to fill his utility role.
Dr. Richard Steadman performed the microfracture surgery in Vail, Colo., in early July. Amezaga was cleared to begin running in January.
Amezaga played for Mexico in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic. However, in 2009, he injured his right knee early in the Classic and returned to Marlins Spring Training.
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