The Dodgers have re-signed second baseman Howie Kendrick to a two-year contract pending a physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. The Dodgers have not confirmed the announcement.
Kendrick, who turns 33 in July, appeared in 117 games last season, his fewest this decade, by virtue of a hamstring injury. He posted a .295/.336/.409 slash line along with nine home runs and 54 RBIs.
The Dodgers re-signed veteran Chase Utley to a one-year, $7 million contract in December. He and Enrique Hernandez stood to split time at second base if the Dodgers didn’t bring back Kendrick. The Dodgers also acquired Micah Johnson, a left-handed hitting second baseman, from the Chicago White Sox in the trade that sent Jose Peraza and Scott Schebler to the Cincinnati Reds.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw inadvertently broke the news earlier Friday.
Speaking at a team function at Los Angeles City Hall, Kershaw said of the team’s position players, “obviously Howie’s still in the mix. Other than Jimmy (Rollins) I feel like we have our team back.”