Astros sign 1B Johnson to minor league contract

Dan-Johnson

Dan Johnson rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

Free agent first baseman Dan Johnson, who appeared in 15 games for the Toronto Blue Jays during a 2014 season spent largely at triple-A Buffalo, has signed a minor-league deal with the Houston Astros, according to industry sources.

The 35-year-old had a strong season with the triple-A Bisons, batting .232/.381/.434 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs in 107 games.

With the Blue Jays, he hit two doubles and a homer with seven RBIs in 38 at-bats.

Johnson, perhaps best known for his game-tying home run with the Tampa Bay Rays in the ninth inning of the 2011 season’s final game, provides the Astros with depth behind Jon Singleton.

He’s slashed .236/.337/.409 with 57 home runs and 201 RBIs in 431 big-league games over nine seasons.

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