Oakland, Calif. ? Mike Sweeney will begin a new chapter in his career with the Oakland Athletics, agreeing Monday to a minor-league contract and accepting a spring training invitation from the club.

The 34-year-old Sweeney has spent all 13 of his big-league seasons with the Kansas City Royals, the team that drafted him.

He has fought injuries in recent seasons and was limited to 74 games in 2007 because of his right knee and 60 the previous year because of his back.

He has a .299 career average with 197 homers.