Tampa Bay Rays sign Jeff Keppinger to one-year deal

5:10 PM, Jan 27, 2012   |    comments
Jeff Keppinger playing for the San Francisco Giants in 2011.
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St. Petersburg, Florida (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays signed veteran infielder Jeff Keppinger to a one-year deal on Friday.

The 31-year-old hit .277 with six home runs and 35 runs batted in over 99 games as he split time with the Astros and Giants in 2011.

"Jeff is a good player who fits our club well," said executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. "He is a tough out, especially against left-handers, and his contact skills bring a useful dimension to our roster. We also value his defensive versatility, which will allow him to make an impact in many different ways."

Over seven pro seasons, Keppinger, a fourth round pick of the Pirates in 2001, is a .281 hitter with 32 homers and 215 RBI in 586 games with the Mets, Royals, Reds, Astros, and Giants.

 

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