The Oakland A’s, in need of outfield help, signed veteran Cody Ross on Wednesday.
Ross, 34, was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday despite an $8.5 million guarantee. The A’s will owe him the prorated portion of the $507,500 league minimum.
Ross hit just .256 with six RBIs in 16 spring games with Arizona. Last year, he hit .252 with two home runs and 15 RBIs while missing half the season with injuries.
In 11 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and Diamondbacks, Ross has hit .263 with 132 home runs, 505 RBIs and 211 doubles. He was the NL Championship Series MVP for the Giants in 2010.
The A’s are without outfielders Coco Crisp (elbow surgery) and Josh Reddick (oblique), although Reddick is expected to come off the disabled list Saturday.