Infielder Erick Aybar and outfielder Collin Cowgill are among the 28 players in the San Diego Padres organization invited to major league spring training, the club announced Friday.
Aybar and Cowgill signed minor league deals with the Padres on Tuesday. Both contracts include an invitation to major league spring training.
Aybar, 33, is expected to compete to be San Diego's starting shortstop. His slash line in 2016 with the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves was: .243 AVG/.303 OBP/.320 SLG.
An 11-year veteran, Aybar spent the first 10 years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels.