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Report: Indians, Byrd agree to minor-league deal

Jason O. Watson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With only a few weeks left until Opening Day and Michael Brantley's status still murky, the Cleveland Indians bolstered their outfield depth Thursday by agreeing to a minor-league deal with Marlon Byrd, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Byrd, who turns 39 in August, split the 2015 campaign between the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants, hitting .247/.290/.453 (101 OPS+) with 23 homers and 25 doubles in 135 games. Since 2013, the former All-Star has posted a .782 OPS (116 OPS+) while averaging 24 homers and 145 games per season.

With Brantley still liable to open the season on the disabled list, Byrd could conceivably open the season as Cleveland's primary left fielder and eventually move into a platoon role when the 28-year-old has fully recovered from the labrum surgery that has slowed his spring training.

Byrd could serve as the right-handed complement to either Lonnie Chisenhall or Will Venable when Brantley is back, as the 14-year veteran owns a career .802 OPS versus left-handed pitching and hit .271/.324/.496 in 139 plate appearances against southpaws last year.

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