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D-Backs looking at signing veteran Nixon
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TUCSON - The Diamondbacks are considering signing veteran outfielder Trot Nixon, who worked out at their minor league facility Sunday.
SLIDESHOW: See the D-Backs spring training efforts
Read Jack Magruder's blog, Inside Baseball
Nixon, a free agent who spent last season with Cleveland, initiated contact with the D-Backs and asked to work out while hoping to land on a major league team.
A left-hander hitter, Nixon could fill a void if either Chad Tracy (knee) or Miguel Montero (finger) is unable to open the regular season with the team because of health reasons. Both Tracy and Montero bat left-handed.
"He looked good," D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes said of Nixon.
"We're going to talk about it. Probably the big issue is 'Trace.' If our health returns, we are fine. But if we get more injuries, that would make you a little worried."
Arizona said it was unlikely to sign a veteran free agent as a short-term fill-in, and would have to run through that scenario with Nixon before talks got serious.
Nixon, 33, hit three home runs in 307 at-bats with Cleveland last season after playing 10 years in Boston.
He had three 20-home run seasons with the Red Sox but has slowed by injuries after hitting 28 homers and batting .306 in 2003.
The D-Backs also permitted scouts from the Dodgers, Seattle and Toronto to observe Nixon's workout.
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