The Miami Marlins and free agent infielder Rafael Furcal have agreed to a deal that will allow the three-time All Star to try to resume his career following Tommy John surgery.
Furcal and the Marlins agreed to terms on a contract Thursday, two people familiar with the situation said Thursday. Both people confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it hadn't been finalized.
The 36-year-old Furcal underwent Tommy John Surgery in March. The procedure, which replaced a ligament in his elbow, caused him to miss the entire 2013 season.
A 13-year MLB veteran, Furcal has hit .281 for his career and stolen 314 bases. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2000 with the Atlanta Braves, and was most recently named an NL All-Star in 2012.
After spending six seasons in Atlanta, Furcal signed an 8-figure deal to join the LA Dodgers. He played six more years in LA, then went to St. Louis for 2012 and 2013, becoming a free agent this offseason.
Furcal will compete for the starting job at second base, despite the fact that he has played only 36 games at that position. Miami already has 24-year-old Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Furcal's natural position.
Marlins second-basemen combined to hit a paltry .235 last season. Donovan Solano played 102 games at second base and batted .249. As a whole, the Marlins were the worst offensive team in the National League in 2013.
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MLB's winter meetings are scheduled for next week, and the Marlins could seek more offensive help at third base.
Also on Thursday, an AP source confirmed that catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia passed his physical exam, making complete the three-year, $21 million deal he and the Marlins agreed to earlier in the week.
