In a Tweet by Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, she says the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed infielder Garrett Atkins to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Atkins, 31, was signed as a free agent last December by Baltimore. He hit .214 with 1 HR and 9 RBI’s in 44 games last season before being released by the Orioles on July 6, 2010.

The veteran infielder made his debut with Colorado in 2003 and played with the Rockies thru the 2009 season before becoming a free agent. In his big league career, Atkins has made 632 appearances at third base, 105 at first base and six in the outfield.