Rangers ink David Dellucci

ARLINGTON, Texas, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Texas Rangers have signed outfielder David Dellucci to a one-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed for Dellucci, who was paid $900,000 in 2003. The seven-year veteran split last season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees. He hit .242 with two home runs and 19 RBI in 70 games and is a career .267 hitter.

""David Dellucci is a talented player with a lot of sock," said Manager Buck Showalter. "A lot of players 28-32 get an opportunity to really blossom, and I think David will be given that opportunity."

Dellucci will be reunited with Showalter, who managed him with Arizona. Dellucci's best season was 2001, when he batted .276 with 10 homers and 40 RBI in 115 games for the world champion Diamondbacks.

With the Rangers, he will be an experienced bat off the bench and provides valuable depth in an outfield that could feature youngsters Laynce Nix, Ramon Nivar, and Mark Teixeira.