Milwaukee, WI –  The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran outfielder Corey Patterson to a minor league deal on Monday.

He did not receive an invitation to spring training and will begin the 2012 season with Milwaukee's Triple-A club in Nashville.

Patterson, an 11-year MLB veteran, split time last season between the Toronto Blue Jays and the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, posting a .239 average, six home runs and 36 RBI.

Patterson had a brief stint with Milwaukee in 2009. In 11 games for the Brewers, he was just 1-for-14 at the plate (.071).

Patterson broke into the major leagues in 2000 with the Chicago Cubs after being selected third overall in the 1998 draft.

In 1,230 career games, Patterson has a .252 average with 118 home runs and 431 RBI.