KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals signed 38-year-old catcher Jason Kendall to a minor league contract Thursday and assigned him to Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Kendall, a three-time National League All-Star, has had two shoulder surgeries since he last played on Aug. 30, 2010, with Kansas City. He has been working out with the Royals since spring training.

Kendall, a career .288 hitter, ranks fifth all-time with 2,025 games caught.