Pena set for 4 p.m. re-introduction

UPDATE, 2:58: The Rays have announced a 4 p.m. media conference at the Trop to introduce Pena, indicating he passed his physical.

BREAKING: The Rays are expected to officially announce the signing of Carlos Pena and re-introduce the slugging first baseman on Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Pena agreed to a one-year contract for $7.25-million on Friday, pending a physical exam that is expected to be completed on Tuesday. Pena starred for the Rays from 2007-10, then left as a free agent and played last season with the Chicago Cubs.

The Rays are expecting Pena to add power to a lineup that finished eighth in the AL in runs scored.

Over the last five seasons, Pena has averaged 34 home runs and 97 RBIs, though with only a .236 average and more than 150 strikeouts per.

Posted by Marc Topkin at 9:28:30 pm on January 23, 2012