HOUSTON -- Free-agent outfielder Darin Erstad signed a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives with the Houston Astros on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Erstad, a two-time All Star in 11 seasons with the Angels, hit .248 with four home runs and 32 RBI in 87 games last season for the Chicago White Sox.
He is a career .284 hitter with 118 home runs and 657 RBI.
"He'll be a left-handed bat off the bench," general manager Ed Wade said. "He has a lot of versatility. He's a great makeup guy. He's the prototypical professional player -- he brings a lot to the table and we're glad to have him."
Erstad is the latest addition to a revamped outfield. Center fielder Hunter Pence is moving to right to make room for Michael Bourn, acquired in November in a trade with Philadelphia.
The Astros dealt right fielder Luke Scott to Baltimore in the trade that landed them Miguel Tejada. Carlos Lee is the starter in left.
Erstad was an All Star in 1998 and 2000. He hit a career-best .355 with the Angels in 2000 and remains the only player in baseball history to win a gold glove as an infielder and outfielder.
Erstad was the No. 1 overall pick in 1995 and a punter on Nebraska's national championship football team in 1994.
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