Dodgers sign Justin Turner to a minor-league contract.

Justin Turner Dodgers

Long Beach native Justin Turner batted .280/.319/.385 in a utility role last season for the New York Mets. (Getty Images)

The Dodgers added to their weakest area Wednesday by signing infielder Justin Turner to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Turner, 29, batted .280 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 86 games with the Mets last season. He appeared in games at all four infield positions and one in left field.

The former Mayfair High and Cal State Fullerton standout has a .260 batting average with eight homers and 89 RBIs in 318 games over five seasons.

Turner figures to compete with Dee Gordon and non-roster invitees Chone Figgins, Brendan Harris and Miguel Rojas for backup roles. If Alex Guerrero fails to impress in his first major-league spring training, all four players could vie for the Opening Day second baseman job.

The Dodgers’ infield depth plummeted when Mark Ellis, Skip Schumaker and Nick Punto signed elsewhere in the offseason and Jerry Hairston Jr. retired.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.