White Sox sign catcher Alex Avila to one-year deal

The Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent catcher Alex Avila to a one-year contract.

The Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent catcher Alex Avila to a one-year contract, the team announced Wednesday.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the deal is worth $2.5 million.

Avila, 29, played in just 67 games in 2015 while struggling to recover from a bone bruise in his left knee. He hit .191 in 178 at-bats, the lowest batting average of his seven seasons in the majors. His best season came in 2011, when he was named an All Star, won a Silver Slugger award and hit .295 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs.

He had spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Detroit Tigers. Detroit’s general manager is his father, Al.

• Rockies SS Jose Reyes pleads not guilty to domestic abuse charge

White Sox senior vice president and general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement that Avila will bring a veteran presence on the field and in the clubhouse.

“Alex gives us a veteran presence behind the plate who provides solid defense and a productive lefthanded bat,” Hahn said, “He is a well-respected leader in the clubhouse who we believe will make us stronger.”