Marlins add Valdespin on Minor League deal

MIAMI -- The Marlins have signed outfielder Jordany Valdespin to a Minor League contract, but it does not include an invitation to Spring Training.

The 24-year-old is expected to open the season at Triple-A New Orleans, and play his way into a possible spot on the big league club.

Also, on Friday, the Marlins outrighted catcher Kyle Skipworth to New Orleans.

Skipworth was designated for assignment on Wednesday to make room on Miami's 40-man roster for third baseman Casey McGehee, who signed a one-year contract worth $1.1 million.

Skipworth cleared waivers, and now he will open the season at Triple-A.

Valdespin is a left-handed-hitting outfielder who spent the past two seasons with the Mets.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Valdespin is a career .219 hitter with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs in 160 games.

Non-tendered by the Mets, Valdespin, who was suspended 50 games in August for being linked to the MLB Biogenesis probe, became a free agent on Dec. 2.