Diamondbacks give Blum 2-year deal

PHOENIX, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Infielder Geoff Blum was given a two-year deal by the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday.

The National League club didn't say how much it will pay Blum, who hit .267 with two home runs and 22 RBI in 93 games for the Houston Astros last season. He's a .251 career hitter in 12 big-league seasons.

His 11 pinch-hit RBI were the fourth best in the league, while his 14 pinch hits in just 42 pinch-hit at-bats were tied for seventh in the league.

Arizona General Manager Kevin Towers said Blum was brought in to give Manager Kirk Gibson more flexibility.

"The signing of Geoff Blum is the first step in identifying how we can improve Kirk Gibson's options off the bench next season," Towers said. "Geoff is a veteran that can play nearly every position on the field while also having the experience of contributing to key situations late in the game as a pinch-hitter off of the bench."

The Diamondbacks also announced they have hired Billy Ryan as assistant general manager. Ryan has worked in the scouting departments for Cleveland and Texas, and most recently was in the commissioner's office as a liaison to major league clubs as senior coordinator of salary and contract administration.