Rangers sign veteran outfielder Byrd to one-year contract
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers signed outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract Friday.
Byrd hit .223 in 78 games last season with Washington, which acquired him from Philadelphia in a 2005 trade.
In 408 major league games, Byrd is a .263 hitter with 20 home runs and 123 RBI.
Byrd was the opening day center fielder for the Phillies as a rookie in 2003 and went on to his best season, hitting .303 with seven home runs and 45 RBI in a career-high 135 games. He was second among NL rookies in hits (150) and runs (86).
But Byrd slumped to .224 in the first 58 games of 2004 and was sent back to the minor leagues.
Terms of the contract weren't disclosed.
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