ATLANTA — Eric Hinske and the Braves have agreed on a one-year, $1.45 million contract that includes an option for the 2012 season.

Although the veteran utility player entered free agency hoping to land a two-year contract, he decided he wanted to return to Atlanta to join forces with the newly acquired Dan Uggla.

“(Hinske) was really a big part of our club both on the field and in the clubhouse,” Braves general manager Frank Wren told MLB.com. “We wanted to keep his presence felt around our club. We’re real excited to have him back.”

Hinske hit .256 with 11 homers and a .793 OPS in the 320 plate appearances he compiled in 131 games last year.

When injuries to other players forced Hinske into an everyday role in the middle of May, the 33-year-old veteran helped the Braves vault from last place to 1st place in NL East standings.

With Martin Prado targeted to serve as the primary left fielder, Hinske will likely be utilized as a left-handed pinch-hitter who will see some time in left field and also serve as insurance in the event that Freddie Freeman struggles during his early days at the major league level.

Hinske hit .298 as a pinch-hitter and .302 with a 1.008 OPS in late-and-close situations this past season. He drilled a two-run homer off Sergio Romo in the eighth that would have been decisive had the Giants not come back to score two ninth-inning runs in Game 3 of the NL Division Series.