Reds sign catcher to minor-league deal

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Wire Report 10:01 PM Monday, January 16, 2012

The Reds signed former All-Star catcher Dioner Navarro to a minor league contract Monday, with Navarro extended an invitation to major league spring training camp.

Navarro, who turns 28 next month, was an All-Star with Tampa Bay in 2008. Navarro that year batted .295 with seven homers and 54 RBI.

Since then (2009-11), Navarro has hit .218, .194 and .193, respectively.

Navarro adds depth to the catching corps, with Devin Mesoraco and Ryan Hanigan projected as the Reds’ primary catchers for 2012. Also, veteran Corky Miller recently was re-signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring camp.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the Navarro deal is for $800,000 plus $200,000 in incentives.

Last year, Navarro hit .193 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with five homers and 17 RBI in 64 games. The Dodgers released Navarro on Aug. 30.

For his career Navarro has a .244 batting average, .306 on-base percentage and .353 slugging percentage in 1,942 at-bats.

The Reds’ spring roster is at 53 players. Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 19, and position players will report Feb. 24.

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