Infielder Erick Aybar and outfielder Collin Cowgill are among the 28 players in the San Diego Padres organization invited to major league spring training, the club announced Friday.
Aybar and Cowgill signed minor league deals with the Padres on Tuesday. Both contracts include an invitation to major league spring training.
Aybar, 33, is expected to compete to be San Diego's starting shortstop. His slash line in 2016 with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves was: .243 AVG/.303 OBP/.320 SLG.
An 11-year veteran, Aybar spent the first 10 years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels. He was the team's primary shortstop from 2008-15, winning a Gold Glove in 2011 and earning an All-Star nod in 2014.
Cowgill, 30, has hit .234/.297/.329 in 317 career major league games. He appeared in nine games with the Cleveland Indians last season.
Aybar and Cowgill were teammates on the Angels from 2013-15. Cowgill played a single-season career-high 106 games for Los Angeles in 2015, finishing that season with a .250/.330/.354 line and 21 RBIs.
The Padres' other spring training invitees are:
Right-handers Logan Bawcom, Jon Edwards, Carlos Fisher, Erik Johnson, Jason Jester, Michael Kelly, Dinelson Lamet, Phil Maton, Aroni Nina, Andre Rienzo and Craig Stammen
Left-handers Kyle McGrath and Brad Wieck
Catchers Tony Cruz, Rocky Gale, Stephen McGee and Hector Sanchez
Infielders Dusty Coleman, Jose Pirela, Jamie Romak, Luis Urias, Christian Villanueva and Brett Wallace
Outfielders Jabari Blash, Nick Buss and Rafael Ortega
