Astros sign IF Kata to minor league deal

Dec 5, 2008 - 11:55 PM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Astros signed infielder Matt Kata to a minor league contract on Friday and invited him to spring training.

Kata spent the 2008 campaign with Class AAA Indianapolis of the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization, hitting .245 with eight home runs and 45 RBI in 118 games. He has played four major league seasons since 2003 with the Pirates, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting .242 in 238 games.

The 30-year-old Kata owns a career average of .242 with 12 homers and 58 RBI.

A ninth-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 1999 by Arizona, Kata has played every position in the majors except catcher.