Mets sign Desmond Jennings to minor league contract

NEW YORK -- The Mets have signed outfielder Desmond Jennings to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The team announced the move on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Jennings has played seven seasons in the majors with theTampa Bay Rays. He hit .195 in 18 games for Cincinnati Redsduring spring training this year before being released.

New York outfielders Curtis Granderson, Jay Bruce and Michael Conforto all bat left-handed, so Jennings is a good fit in adding depth because he's a right-handed hitter with plenty of experience in center field.

Jennings could provide the Mets with insurance in case former Gold Glove center fielder Juan Lagares, also a right-handed hitter, needs more time to heal. Lagares is out with an oblique injury. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said he thought Lagares would be able to play in a rehab game on Monday.

Jennings batted .200 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 65 games for Tampa Bay last year. He is a .245 career hitter, with 55 homers, 191 RBI and 95 steals.