Arizona Diamondbacks

D-backs sign Daniel Decalso, designate Gosselin for assignment

Published Feb. 8, 2017 9:31 a.m. ET

PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks have signed veteran utility infielder Daniel Descalso to a one-year contract and designated infielder Phil Gosselin for assignment.

Descalso, 30, hit .264 with eight home runs and a career-best on-base percentage of .349 last season in 99 games for the Colorado Rockies while seeing time at all four infield positions and the outfield. He's a left-handed hitter and provides more defensive versatility than Gosselin, 28, whose primary role with the D-backs was a pinch-hitter. Gosselin hit .277 last season with two home runs in 122 games. Eighty-three of his appearances were as a pinch-hitter.

Descalso is a .242 career hitter with 23 home runs in seven major league seasons -- two with the Rockies and five with the St. Louis Cardinals. FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reports that his deal is for $1.5 million.

He'll be part of a crowded battle for roster spots in spring training. Jake Lamb is established as the starting third baseman, and Chris Owings, Brandon Drury, Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte are all in the mix for middle-infield spots.