DAYTON –University of Dayton alumni and former baseball player Craig Stammen has signed a contract with the San Diego Padres.

Stammen, a North Star, Ohio native, signed a deal that includes an invitation to the Padres' Major League spring training camp next February.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to play for the San Diego Padres," Stammen said. "It's a great fit, as it will give me a really good chance to make the team in spring training. I'm very much looking forward to working with Andy Green and the rest of the Padres' staff."

The right-hander spent the 2016 season with the Cleveland Indians organization, but because of injury did not make his debut until late June. Stammen posted a 3.62 ERA in 27.1 innings, striking out 28 while walking only five, and limiting opponents to a .269 batting average.

During his three seasons as a Flyer, Stammen established himself as one of the best pitchers in the program's history. He holds multiple spots among the top five in the Dayton record book, including second in single-season wins (9), complete games (9), and saves (9), fourth in career saves (10), and fifth in career strikeouts (185).

Stammen was a 12th-round draft pick by the Washington Nationals in 2005. In parts of seven major league seasons he's logged 490.2 innings, first as a starter and then as a reliever. He'll be expected to compete for a spot in the Padres bullpen this spring.