The Padres signed a purple heart winner to a minor league contract:

Right-hander Cooper Brannan will report to minor league spring training March 1. The 22-year-old injured his left hand during a second tour of duty Iraq. Team spokesman George Stieren said Brannan lost his left pinky.

The team planned to announce the signing at a news conference Tuesday at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego .

Obviously, throwing with his right hand, the missing pinky shouldn't be a factor. Nice move by the Padres, however. There's a big military presence in San Diego, and this is one more way the Padres are building that fan base.