Diamondbacks bring back Overbay

Lyle Overbay has come full circle. He made his major league debut with the Diamondbacks during the 2001 pennant race, and 10 years later he is back with them in another. "I couldn't have hoped for this in a million years," Overbay said. Overbay was signed Saturday to replace Xavier Nady, who suffered a fractured left hand when he was hit by a pitch Friday, and the reunion did not take long. Overbay was washing his car in Centralia, Wash., when Kevin Towers made the first call to his agent immediately after Nady's injury was diagnosed about 7 pm or so. Overbay was a D-back by 9:30 pm. "I couldn't be in a better position. I just want to enjoy the ride," said Overbay, 34. Overbay, who signed with the D-backs in 1999, looked like the career .270 he has become in 11 major league seasons is in his first batting session Saturday, lining balls to the right-center field and left-center field gaps before dropping one into the pool area. Overbay will provide a left-hander hitting alternative to rookie righty Paul Goldschmidt, who has reached base in his first 10 major league games and was back in the starting lineup Saturday. "He's a veteran guy, has experience. Given what we are up against right now, we thought it was a good fit. We've been light on left-handed bats," Gibson said. Gibson said Overbay will be given a crash course on learning the D-backs' plays and signs, and Overbay took swings against Gibson's pet curveball machine before Saturday's game. Overbay was available after clearing waivers from Pittsburgh on Tuesday. He has not played since July 31. "He has a lot to absorb. He was sitting at home yesterday, and he's here today. He's sat there a long time," Gibson said. Overbay almost came to the D-backs in the winter before the 2010, but a trade from Toronto for catcher Chris Snyder fell through when the Blue Jays backed out as first base heir apparent Brandon Allen struggled in the Arizona Fall League. The D-backs then signed free agent Adam LaRoche. "It's been a roller coaster ride right now. I get to play baseball, and that's all that matters," said Overbay, whio singled in his first career at-bat with the D-backs in September, 2001. Nady was to see hand specialist Dr. Don Sheridan on Saturday afternoon, after which there might be a better estimate of a time table for recovery. His injury is more severe than Geoff Blum's broken right pinkie, and Blum has missed almost three weeks with a return another week or two away. "I try to stay as optimistic as possible," said Nady, who was starting to get into an offensive rhythm and with 35 RIs in 206 at-bats was one of the D-backs' most productive players. "It's always difficult to swallow. It's frustrating with the way the team is playing. Being out there is a lot of fun now. You want to be out there and contribute. It's a lot of fun with the way things are going. I think we have a special group of guys," Nady said. Nady stayed in to run after being hit in the second inning Tuesday, not believing the injury was too serious. When he returned to the dugout after scoring he was given several tests, and gripping the bat was difficult. "I couldn't hold it. It sent a sharp pain through it. That's when I had to tell them that I probably couldn't swing," Nady said. Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter