Giants, Nady agree to minor league contract

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DENVER -- The Giants and 11-year veteran Xavier Nady have agreed to a minor league contract, club officials confirmed.

Nady, 33, is taking batting practice with Triple-A Fresno on Saturday and could be on the Grizzlies' active roster as soon as Sunday, vice president Bobby Evans said. The contract is still pending a medical evaluation.

The Washington Nationals released Nady last week after he hit .157 with three home runs and six RBIs in 40 games. He hadn't appeared in a major league game since late June because of an ongoing wrist issue.

A Cal alumnus and Salinas native, Nady had made the Nationals' roster after signing a minor league contract; he had lobbied to get the same deal from the Giants over the offseason.

Nady played primarily in left field with the Nationals, but has experience in right field and first base as well.

The waiver wire is filled with veteran left-handed bats such as Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, but the Giants' bench need is from the right side. If healthy, Nady could give the Giants a right-handed option who has experience impacting a pennant race. In 2008, he was traded from the Pirates to the Yankees and ended up hitting 12 home runs in 228 at-bats for New York.

Nady broke into the big leagues with Giants manager Bruce Bochy in San Diego. Over 920 career games with the Padres, Mets, Pirates, Yankees, Cubs, Diamondbacks andNationals, Nady owns a .271 average with 100 home runs and 399 RBIs.

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