Rangers promote Eric Young from Triple-A

Texas signed utilityman to minor league deal after released from Padres

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updated 8:14 p.m. ET Aug. 25, 2006

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers promoted utilityman Eric Young from Triple-A Oklahoma on Friday in time for their weekend series against AL West-leading Oakland.

The Rangers signed the 39-year-old Young to a minor league contract Aug. 11 after he was released by San Diego. Young spent all of 2004 with the Rangers when they remained in contention in the AL West until the final week of the season.

“It’s awesome, we all love E-Y. He’s a great guy, a great teammate,” said three-time All-Star shortstop Michael Young, who greeted him with an enthusiastic bear hug. “He helps us out on the field, in the clubhouse, in every way imaginable. It’s definitely going to be a huge plus for us to have him.”

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The Rangers optioned rookie right-hander Nick Masset to Oklahoma. Masset made two appearances for Texas.

Eric Young went to the Padres as a free agent after he hit .288 in 104 games for Texas in 2004, the only of his 15 major league seasons in the American League. He is a .283 hitter in 1,726 career games while playing for seven major league clubs.

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Texas manager Buck Showalter can use Young as a pinch-runner, designated hitter, pinch-hitter and backup infielder.

“I’m going to do a little bit of everything,” Young said. “I’m really happy to be back. I had a great time here in 2004. I hope these last five weeks are just as great.”