Free agent Justin Ruggiano agreed to a $1.65 million, one-year contract with the AL West champion Texas Rangers.

“It’s kind of been a dream of mine my whole life, and now it’s kind of coming to fruition,” said Ruggiano, who lives in the Dallas suburb of Rockwall and went to Texas A&M.

Ruggiano, 33, has played in all three outfield positions in his seven major league seasons, and Rangers GM Jon Daniels said he will also work some at first base.

Texas went into the offseason looking for a right-handed bat. The addition of Ruggiano also offers protection for left fielder Josh Hamilton, who is coming off two operations on his left knee in recent months.

Ruggiano split last season between the Mariners and the Dodgers, hitting .248 with six homers and 15 RBI in 57 games.

INDIANS: Free agent outfielder Rajai Davis has agreed to a contract with Cleveland.

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The versatile 35-year-old, who spent the past two seasons with Detroit, is counted on to give the Indians outfield depth and added speed.

To make roster room for Davis, the Indians designated infielder Chris Johnson for assignment.

Johnson, acquired from Atlanta in August, is guaranteed $17.5 million for the next two seasons and a 2018 option buyout.

ORIOLES: South Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim agreed to a $7 million, two-year contract with Baltimore, pending a successful physical.

The 27-year-old hit .318 with 142 homers and 771 RBI in nine-plus seasons with the Doosan Bears in South Korea.

PHILLIES: Philadelphia signed free agent right-handers Andrew Bailey and Edward Mujica, both former All-Star closers and members of the Red Sox, to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.

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Bailey, the 2009 AL Rookie of the Year with Oakland, was 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA in 10 games for the New York Yankees in 2015. He’s 11-13 with 89 saves and a 2.74 ERA in 216 appearances in a career beset by injuries.

Mujica was 3-5 with one save and a 4.75 ERA in 49 games last season for the Red Sox and A’s. He’s 24-28 with 50 saves and a 3.85 ERA in 494 career games.

TWINS: Minnesota agreed to minor league contracts with former outfielders Joe Benson and Darin Mastroianni, who are among 22 non-roster players invited to big league spring training.

BRAVES: Chipper Jones is returning to the Atlanta Braves in a front office position he describes as “dipping my toe back into the water.”

The Braves said the eight-time All-Star has been hired as a special assistant to baseball operations.

Jones will report to John Hart, the president of baseball operations, and General Manager John Coppolella.

His primary focus during the regular season will be helping Braves hitters.

Jones retired as a player following the 2012 season.


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