WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have reacquired catcher Derek Norris from the San Diego Padres for minor league right-hander Pedro Avila.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced the trade Friday.
Norris, a 2007 first-round pick of the Nationals, hit .186 with 14 home runs and 42 RBIs last season for San Diego. The 27-year-old is a career .233 hitter in five major league seasons with the Oakland Athletics and Padres.
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Washington sent Norris to Oakland for left-hander Gio Gonzalez in 2011. He returns to the Nationals, who avoided arbitration with catcher Jose Lobaton on Thursday.
All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos is a free agent who will miss the start of the season after knee surgery.
Avila, 19, went 7-7 with a 3.48 ERA in 20 starts for Single-A Hagerstown last season.