ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Report: Diamondbacks to sign catcher Josh Thole to minor-league contract

Jan 23, 2017, 7:12 PM

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Josh Thole, right, tags out Oakland Athletics' Marcus Semien in the seven...

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Josh Thole, right, tags out Oakland Athletics' Marcus Semien in the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. Semien was attempting to score on a single by A's Ryon Healy. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor-league contract with veteran catcher Josh Thole, reports FanRagSports’ Jon Heyman.

Thole, an eight-year MLB veteran, played four years for the New York Mets and the last four for the Toronto Blue Jays. In 50 games for Toronto last season, the 30-year-old left-handed hitter averaged .169 with seven RBI and 20 hits in 118 at-bats.

He joins a large contingent of catchers who will aim to reinvigorate the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff that, as a whole, struggled mightily in 2016. With hard-hitting catcher Welington Castillo non-tendered by Arizona, the D-backs will have a battle for roster spots that include Thole and four catchers part of the 40-man rotation heading into spring.

Free agent signees Chris Iannetta and Jeff Mathis join returning ultility player Chris Herrmann and project Oscar Hernandez at catcher for the D-backs.

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Report: Diamondbacks to sign catcher Josh Thole to minor-league contract