NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Los Angeles Dodgers have an agreement to bring back veteran infielder Chase Utley on a one-year deal, a source confirmed.
Utley, who turns 37 later this month, played for the Dodgers for the final two months of last season after being traded from the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 19.
Terms of the deal were not immediately known.
Utley is a six-time All-Star who batted a career-low .212 with eight home runs and 21 doubles last season while missing 37 games with left ankle inflammation, but the Dodgers liked his impact on their baserunning and his businesslike demeanor in their clubhouse. They were looking for a veteran infielder who bats left-handed, and they will likely go with some combination of Jose Peraza, Enrique Hernandez and Utley at second base.
Utley also can play third and first base.
The Utley deal likely signals that the Dodgers will not pursue second baseman Howie Kendrick, who became a free agent after rejecting the Dodgers' qualifying offer.
The Dodgers declined Utley's $11 million 2016 option on Nov. 6, with the Phillies responsible for the $2 million buyout.
Utley could miss two games next season if he loses his appeal of a suspension for a hard takeout slide on New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada in the National League Division Series. Tejada broke his leg on the play, and Utley became an object of Mets fans' derision.
