Phillies sign Nix

Outfielder Laynce Nix has signed a two-year contract with the Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.

A left-handed hitter, Nix batted .250 with a career-high 16 home runs and 44 RBI in 124 games for the Washington Nationals last season.  He made a total of 79 starts for the Nationals: 59 in left field, 12 in right field, six at first base and two as the designated hitter.  The 32-year-old also made four appearances in center field.

“We got to see Laynce a lot this year with Washington and he is someone we had our eye on going into the offseason,” said Amaro.  “He will provide us with extra power off the bench from the left side and can play all three outfield positions.”

Nix was originally selected by the Texas Rangers in the fourth round of the 2000 draft.  He has a .244 career batting average with 64 home runs and 226 RBI in 607 games for the Rangers (2003-06), Milwaukee Brewers (2006-08), Cincinnati Reds (2009-10) and Nationals (2011).