Former No 1 pick Bush Minor Deal with Rangers After Prison

The Rangers have agreed to a minor league contract with Matt Bush, the first overall draft pick in 2004 who recently finished 3 1/2 years in prison after a drunken driving accident in Florida that injured a man.

Bush said Friday that he has been sober since the March 2012 accident after years of alcohol issues. He will report to minor league spring training in Arizona in early February, the same month he turns 30.

General manager Jon Daniels said Bush will be accompanied throughout spring training by his father, who will also stay with him through the season if the right-handed reliever makes a minor league roster.

Bush was drafted No. 1 overall as a shortstop by his hometown San Diego Padres in 2004. He later signed a minor league deal as pitcher with Tampa Bay.

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