David Peralta of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs home to score in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 30, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Venezuelan outfielder David Peralta signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs and is invited to their Major League camp, Robert Murray of FanSided reported on Feb. 19.
Marquee Sports Network reported on Feb. 19 that Peralta signed a minor league contract.
Peralta, 36, was born in Valencia, Venezuela, and has played 10 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2014-22, the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022, and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.
Peralta won a Silver Slugger Award in 2018 and a Gold Glove in 2019.
Last season, the left-handed hitter played in 133 games with the Dodgers, hitting .259 over 422 plate appearances with 102 hits, 25 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 55 RBI, four stolen bases, 20 walks, 72 strikeouts, and a .675 OPS.
Peralta played with the Venezuela national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, playing in five games in left field and batting .357 with five hits, two doubles, four RBI, one stolen base, three walks, and striking out once.
In 2022, Peralta played in 134 games, splitting the year between Arizona and Tampa Bay. He hit .251 over 490 plate appearances, belting 110 hits, 30 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 59 RBI, 41 walks, 114 strikeouts, and a .731 OPS.
Peralta was traded to Tampa Bay from Arizona on July 30, 2022 in exchange for catcher Christian Cerada.
During his 10 seasons in MLB, Peralta has a career average of .279 in 1,141 games and 4,330 plate appearances, with 1,103 hits, 227 doubles, 48 triples, 117 home runs, 541 RBI, 37 stolen bases, 314 walks, 837 strikeouts, and a .784 OPS.
Peralta will compete with Alexander Canario, Christopher Morel, and Mike Tauchman during spring training for a spot on the opening day roster and playing time in left field for the Cubs.
The Cubs will play their first game of spring training on Feb. 23 against the Chicago White Sox at home at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. at 3:05 p.m. EST.