Michael Young back with Rangers as GM assistant

Arlington, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Young has returned to the Texas Rangers organization as a special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels.

According to a release from the club, Young will work in all areas of baseball operations, including player evaluation and player development at the major- and minor-league level, special assignments and scouting.

"On behalf of the Texas Rangers, I am very happy to welcome Michael back to the organization," said Daniels. "Michael had a major impact on this franchise during an exceptional playing career, and his leadership was an integral part of the success we enjoyed in winning consecutive American League championships.

"Michael will be a significant asset to our baseball operations group in a variety of areas. He has already been involved in our major league managerial search and player discussions this fall. I look forward to working with him as we prepare and plan for 2015."

Young, who is the Rangers' all-time leader in numerous offensive categories, retired in January after a 13-year major league career.

The 38-year-old Young spent his first 12 seasons in Texas and is the team's all-time leader in games (1,823), hits (2,230), runs (1,085), doubles (415), triples (55), total bases (3,286), at bats (7,399) and multi-hit games (651). He was a starter at all four infield positions in his Rangers career, earning a Gold Glove at shortstop in 2008.

Young was pried away from the Rangers by the Phillies, who acquired him on Dec. 9, 2012 in exchange for right-handed pitchers Josh Lindblom and Lisalverto Bonilla. He hit .276 with eight homers and 42 RBI in 126 games for a struggling Phillies club before being dealt to the Dodgers with cash considerations for left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen on Aug. 31.

He finished the 2013 season with a .279 average, eight homers and 46 RBI over 147 games.

A seven-time All-Star (2004-09, 2011), Young was originally selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 1997 amateur draft. Young batted .300 with 185 homers and 1,030 RBI in 1,970 MLB games.