Cubs sign veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba to minor-league deal

Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs have signed veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a minor-league deal for added roster depth, tweets MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat.

Torrealba, 35, has hit .256/.315/.379 with 56 home runs over his 13-year career. He posted a .240/.295/.285 line in 196 plate appearances on the season and spent the spring with the Los Angeles Angels, but opted out of his deal. The Venezuelan native as played for the San Francisco Giants (2001-05), Seattle Mariners (2005), Colorado Rockies (2006-09), San Diego Padres (2010), Texas Rangers (2011-12), Toronto Blue Jays (2012), Milwaukee Brewers (2012) and Colorado Rockies (2013). He bats and throws right-handed.

Torrealba will provide depth for the Cubs with starting catcher Welington Castillo still rehabbing a rib injury in Mesa, Ariz on the 15-day disabled list. Currently the Cubs have John Baker and Eli Whiteside splitting the duties, but this signing should likely spell the end of Whiteside’s career as a Cub.

Whiteside was hitting .171 with three home runs and 13 RBIs over 33 games for Iowa before he was called up. He was hitless in 12 at-bats since being called up while Baker is batting .159 over 69 at-bats.

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