Tigers add veteran Pena as backup catcher

Tigers add veteran Pena as backup catcher

By Joey Nowak / MLB.com | 12/10/12 1:43 PM ET

The Tigers shored up their catching depth by signing free agent Brayan Pena to a one-year contract Monday. The club also designated left-hander Matt Hoffman for assignment.

Pena, 30, hit .236 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 25 RBIs in 68 games with the Royals last season. He hit .320 with runners in scoring position.

"We are pleased to add an experienced catcher like Brayan Pena to our club," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said in a statement. "As a switch-hitter, he will serve as a solid complement to Alex Avila as our backup catcher for the 2013 season."

Pena has spent eight seasons in the big leagues, with the Braves (2005-08) and Royals (2009-12). He is a career .248 hitter with 46 doubles, 14 home runs and 98 RBIs in 335 games.

Hoffman appeared in 43 games for Triple-A Toledo last season, going 1-2 with a 3.69 ERA (19 earned runs in 46 1/3 innings).

Joey Nowak is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @joeynowak.‬ This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.