Rangers sign Middlebrooks, Bernier to minor-league deals

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers have signed third baseman Will Middlebrooks and infielder Doug Bernier to minor-league contracts.

Both players will receive invitations to major-league spring training on the deals announced Friday.

The 28-year-old Middlebrooks spent most of last season with Triple-A Colorado Springs in the Milwaukee organization. He hit .282 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 68 games.

The Texas native has a career batting average of .228 over parts of five major-league seasons with Boston, San Diego, and the Brewers. Middlebrooks was 3-of-27 in a 10-game stint with Milwaukee last season.

The 36-year-old Bernier has spent most of his career in the minors. He hit .275 with a career-high 10 homers with Triple-A Round Rock last season. He has 46 games of big-league experience with Colorado and Minnesota.