CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians have signed free agent first baseman David Cooper to a major league contract.
Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
The 26-year-old finished last season with Cleveland’s Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. A former first-round pick of Toronto, Cooper batted .300 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 45 games with the Blue Jays in 2012.
A left-handed hitter, Cooper’s 2012 season ended early because of a serious back injury he sustained while diving to first on a pickoff attempt. He was released by the Blue Jays in March and underwent surgery in April before signing with the Indians.
In 2011, Cooper led the Pacific Coast League in average (.364) and doubles (51) for Triple-A Las Vegas in 2011. He was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2008 draft.
