Twins sign Donovan Solano to one-year contract

FORT MYERS, FL – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have signed infielder Donovan Solano to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.

Solano, 35, played 80 games for the Cincinnati Reds last season, hitting .284 (79-for-278) with 16 doubles, four home runs, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored, 19 walks, a .339 on-base percentage and a .724 OPS. He played 26 games at first base, 16 games at third base, seven games at second base and 26 games as the designated hitter.

The 2020 Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner has played parts of nine major league seasons with the Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Reds, hitting .278 (572-for-2058) with 101 doubles, eight triples, 27 home runs, 206 RBI, 205 runs scored, 129 walks and a .327 on-base percentage in 686 career games. The Barranquilla, Colombia native ranks third all-time among Colombian-born players in hits (572) and games played (686), and plans to play for Colombia in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, after also being on the team in 2017.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins have placed right-handed pitcher Chris Paddack on the 60-day Injured List. Paddack is expected to miss most of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.