The Padres announced a two-year deal with infielder Yangervis Solarte on Friday night, with club options through 2020. Solarte was entering his first year of arbitration with San Diego and will be covered through his final season of arbitration and first year of free agency should the Padres choose to exercise his options.
The 29-year-old entered his most productive season with the Padres in 2016, slashing a career-best .286/.341/.467 with 15 home runs and 71 RBI despite missing nearly six weeks with a right hamstring strain. In September, Solarte lost his wife, Yuliette Pimentel Solarte, to cancer. He was honored with the Tony Conigliaro Award last month for exhibiting determination, courage and strength of spirit in the face of adversity.
Salary specifications for the deal have not yet been disclosed by the team.