Diamondbacks add 1B Russell Branyan to roster

PHOENIX (AP) - Russell Branyan has won a job with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 36-year-old first baseman is hitting .452 (19 for 42) through 18 games in spring training with four home runs, three doubles and 16 RBIs.

Branyan was a non-roster invitee to camp and had an opt-out clause that would allow him to seek employment elsewhere if the Diamondbacks didn't put him on their active roster by Friday. But the team purchased his contract from Triple-A Reno and added him to the 40-man roster.

After Branyan hit a grand slam to help Arizona beat Texas 9-8 Wednesday, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said he liked what he's seen from the 13-year veteran all spring.

Branyan batted .237 with 25 homers and 57 RBIs in 109 games for Cleveland and Seattle last season.