Tony

Pena Jr.

Pena had been 0-for-11 since his July 29 recall, and this hit -- Atlanta’s sixth pinch-hit home runs of the year -- lifts his BA all the way to .095. He has zero fantasy value at present.

The contract also includes an invite to spring training. Pena, a converted infielder, posted a 3.56 ERA and 65/36 K/BB ratio over 116 1/3 innings this season as a starter and reliever with Triple-A Pawtucket. He’ll earn $625,000 if he makes the big league roster.

The former shortstop posted a 4.75 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 91 innings for the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate in 2012. Pena led the Dominican Winter League with 11.4 K/9 rate.

Yes, that Tony Pena. Now 36, Pena has been pitching since he flamed out as a utility infielder in 2009. The last time he pitched with a major league organization was at Triple-A Charlotte for the White Sox’ organization in 2013, as he’s been pitching only in winter ball and the Mexican League since then. Obviously, it’s a huge long shot that he sees the big leagues again, but good for him for not giving up.

The Royals scored eight unanswered runs after the first inning. Pena delivered his first four-hit game as a major leaguer. He was hitting .185 with three extra-base hits, three walks and five RBI in 130 at-bats since the beginning of August.

The double gave him his first RBI since Sept. 1. Pena’s average has stabilized at right around .260, but he hasn’t done anything for fantasy leaguers since July. He has just one homer on the year, and he’s stolen one base since the end of May. That lack of offense will prevent him from getting the Gold Glove consideration he deserves. It’s not that he’s truly great yet, but when it comes to range, he’s right there with Yuniesky Betancourt at the top of the AL. Still, if Derek Jeter isn’t gifted with the award for a fourth straight year, Orlando Cabrera would almost certainly be the choice.

This after he shocked the world by driving in 16 runs in July. Pena never walks and doesn’t have much power, so he’s a simply a brutal offensive player when he’s not hitting for average. He’s currently at .263/.281/.348 for the year.

Pena did enter the day with five triples in 212 career at-bats, but he had never been able to put one over the fence. With a .271 batting average, 24 runs scored, 17 RBI, and three steals, Pena has done little to help AL-only league managers. That’s not likely to change.

Pena hit a three-run double in the sixth and later added an RBI double in the eighth. The shortstop also added a third double earlier in the contest, raising his average to .281. The Royals collected 14 hits and eight walks in the game, with every starter except Alex Gordon reaching base at least twice. Gordon, Emil Brown, and Ross Gload added two RBI apiece in the win.

Pena is expected to miss four to six weeks. He was 0-for-11 as a utility infielder for the Royals before fracturing his left hamate bone last Saturday.