New York Yankees sign Ben Francisco

The New York Yankees have signed free agent outfielder Ben Francisco, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post. Francisco was released by the Cleveland Indians earlier today.

Sherman goes on to say that Francisco is on his way to Tampa to join Yankees' camp and compete for a spot in the team's outfield. New York has reportedly been on the hunt for outfield help since Curtis Granderson sustained his injury.

The Indians signed Francisco to a minor league contract that included an invitation to major league spring training in January. Before Cleveland released him, Francisco hit .400/.520/.700 with six doubles and two RBI over 25 spring training plate appearances.

Francisco got his start in the majors with the Indians, the team that drafted him in 2002. He also spent parts of three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Toronto Blue Jays. Last year, the 31-year-old was a member of the Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays. He hit .240/.285/.385 with 14 doubles and four home runs over 207 plate appearances in 2012 and owns a career batting line of .257/.326/.425.

Before he signed with the Yankees, the New York Mets expressed some "preliminary" interest in Francisco, according to Mike Puma of The New York Post.