CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians are close to signing veteran outfielder Johnny Damon to help awaken their struggling offense.

The club has been in talks to finalize a deal with the 38-year-old, who is 277 hits shy of 3,000.

In a text to the Associated Press, Damon said: "It should be done soon."

Damon played with Tampa Bay - his sixth AL team - last season, batting .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 150 games. Damon would probably need some time to get ready after not being in a spring training camp. If Damon signs, the Indians would be his fourth team in four years.

Cleveland is off to a 1-4 start and entered Thursday batting .178, the majors' lowest average. The Indians begin a three-game series in Kansas City on Friday.

A career .286 hitter, Damon has also played for Kansas City, Oakland, Boston, the Yankees and Detroit.