The Diamondbacks have signed Lyle Overbay, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). In a corresponding move, they've placed Xavier Nady on the disabled list after having his hand broken on a hit-by-pitch last night. He'll miss up to six weeks.
The 34-year-old Overbay became a free agent earlier this week when the Pirates cut him loose. He hit just .227/.300/.349 in 391 plate appearances for Pittsburgh, but that's better than what Nady was doing: .248/.287/.359 in 223 plate appearances. The D'Backs could have also turned to Juan Miranda, who is hitting .268/.387/.500 in Triple-A after being outrighted last month.
Overbay started his career with the D'Backs after they took him in the 18th round of the 1999 draft. He hit .271/.357/.391 in parts of three seasons with Arizona before being one of six players they sent to the Brewers for Richie Sexson after the 2003 season. The Diamondbacks will only have to pay Overbay the pro-rated portion of the league minimum, with the Pirates being on the hook for the rest of his $5MM salary.
