By Anthony Mormile SportsTicker Baseball Editor

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves, who needed a lefthanded hitter to play first base or the outfield, got their man today, signing veteran Dave Martinez to a two-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Martinez fills an immediate void for the Braves, who lost free agent first baseman Andres Galarraga to the Texas Rangers on Friday. Veteran first baseman Wally Joyner also is a free agent.

Martinez, 36, who will be joining his ninth team, spent the 2000 season with four teams. He combined to hit .274 with five home runs and 47 RBI in 132 games for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.

"He'll be a good fit for our club," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "We've had our eye on him for a number of years and haven't been able to get him until now. He can play all three outfield positions."

Martinez began last season with Tampa Bay before being traded to the Cubs. He was sent to Texas on June 9 and shipped to the Blue Jays 56 days later. He was particularly effective for Toronto, hitting .311 with 22 RBI in 47 games.

Martinez also has spent time with Montreal, Cincinnati, San Francisco and the Chicago White Sox. He owns a career .275 average with 89 homers, 560 RBI and 180 stolen bases in 1,799 games.