SURPRISE, Ariz. - Former AL MVP Miguel Tejada has made the Kansas City Royals' opening-day roster as a utility infielder.
Manager Ned Yost made the announcement Friday before the Royals' exhibition game against Cleveland.
The 38-year-old is a six-time All-Star who last played in the major leagues in 2011 with the San Francisco Giants. He hit .239 with four homers and 26 RBI in 322 at-bats.
He spent last season with Baltimore's Triple-A team at Norfolk, batting .259 with no home runs and 18 RBI in 135 at-bats before his release June 25. The 2002 AL MVP with Oakland, Tejada has a .285 career average with 304 homers and 1,282 RBI.
Tejada began Friday with a .353 average and three RBI in 34 spring training at-bats. He will get a $1.1-million, one-year contract when he is put on the 40-man roster. He will have the chance to earn $200,000 in performance bonuses: $40,000 each for 55, 65, 75, 85 and 95 games.
George Kottaras, claimed off waivers Jan. 25 from Oakland, earned the job as backup to catcher Salvador Perez. Kottaras hit .306 in 18 exhibition games.
Brett Hayes, the other catching candidate, cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Omaha.