Braves invite 2-time All-Star 2B Kipnis to spring training

<p>ATLANTA &mdash; Two-time All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis is one of 25 non-roster players who have been invited by the Atlanta Braves to spring training.</p>
<p>The team announced the list Monday. Kipnis agreed to a minor league contract with Atlanta after hitting .237 in 44 games with his hometown Chicago Cubs in 2020 following nine seasons with Cleveland.</p>
<p>The 33-year-old Kipnis was an All-Star with Cleveland in 2013 and 2015. He has a career .260 batting average. In 2019, his last season with the Indians, he hit .245 with 17 homers and 65 RBIs.</p>
<p>The Braves previously reached minor league deals with veteran infielders Pablo Sandoval and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-atlanta-braves-pablo-sandoval-minnesota-twins-ehire-adrianza-4d09b7fdcbb8c832e5300a40c125da74">Ehire Adrianza</a>.</p>
<p>The 31-year-old Adrianza would receive a $1.5 million, one-year contract if added to the Braves’ 40-man roster. Sandoval would receive a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-pablo-sandoval-atlanta-atlanta-braves-3bc239b4097fde39737160959a9da407">$1 million, one-year deal</a> if added to the 40-man roster.</p>
<p>Another veteran, right-hander Carl Edwards Jr., also has been invited to spring training as a non-roster player.</p>
<p>The Braves’ first workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Thursday as they begin their second full spring training at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. </p>
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