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ST. PETERSBURG (95.3 WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays may have found the right-handed bat they've been looking for in their lineup.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that Tampa Bay is nearing a deal to sign outfielder Avisail Garcia to a deal.
Garcia, who turns 28 in June, is coming off an injury-plagued 2018 season that limited him to just 93 games due to knee issues. He hit .236/.281/.438 with 19 home runs on 49 RBI with the Chicago White Sox. The outfielder was an All Star in 2017, finishing with a slash line of .330/.380/.506 with 18 home runs and 80 RBI.
Garcia underwent athroscopic surgery on his right knee in early October, and was non-tendered by the White Sox a month later.
SiriusSM's Jim Bowden reports that the Rays and Garcia have agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million plus bonuses.