The Indians signed Austin Kearns to a one-year contract Monday, bringing back the 30-year-old outfielder who spent the first four months of the season with Cleveland last year.

Kearns was one of the Indians’ more productive hitters in 2010, batting .272 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs in 84 games, before being traded to the Yankees on July 30. He appeared in 36 games for New York, hitting .235 (24-for-102) with two homers and seven RBIs, and was a member of the Yanks’ ALDS and ALCS rosters.

Kearns will most likely open the 2011 season as the Indians’ starter in left field, with Michael Brantley backing him up.