Rays sign Jayson Nix to Minor League contract

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed infielder Jayson Nix to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.  

Nix, 31, has spent parts of six seasons in the major leagues, most recently with the New York Yankees. In 87 games with the Yankees in 2013, Nix hit .236 (63-for-267) with three home runs and 24 RBI while appearing at shortstop (48 games), third base (41 games) and second base (4 games). In 425 career games in the majors with the Yankees (2012-13), Toronto Blue Jays (2011), Cleveland Indians (2010), Chicago White Sox (2009-10) and Colorado Rockies (2008), Nix has compiled a .218 (267-for-1,222) batting average and 37 homers.  

Also receiving an invitation to major league spring training is outfielder Jerry Sands who cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Durham. Sands had been designated for assignment on January 7.