Yankees sign former Brave to add more depth into the infield

The Yankees are prepared to go to spring training with inexperienced replacements for Starlin Castro and Chase Headley, and on Friday, they added another player with limited success at the major league level to the mix.

Jace Peterson, who was non-tendered by the Braves last month, signed a minor-league deal with the Yankees.

Peterson, 27, was a first-round pick by the Padres in 2011, but he has mostly struggled in parts of four seasons with San Diego and the Braves.

He figures to battle for a utility spot with Ronald Torreyes or Tyler Wade. Peterson played second, third and the outfield last season in Atlanta, but finished with a .635 OPS in 215 plate appearances in the majors in 2017, while also spending time with Triple-A Gwinnett.

As general manager Brian Cashman said Thursday, the Yankees continue to search the market for upgrades but are willing to head into the season with prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar in position to win the second- and third-base jobs.

Peterson hasn’t played regularly in the majors since he appeared in 152 games in his first season with Atlanta in 2015. He made his major league debut in 2014 with the Padres after being called up to replace Headley, who was sidelined for two weeks with a calf injury.

He has spent most of his career at second base. The Braves opted to non-tender Peterson instead of heading to arbitration.