According to reports, the Astros have agreed to a one-year deal with catcher Dustin Garneau, who projects as a backup. Both catchers from last year, Robinson Chirinos and Martin Maldonado, are both free agents.
Garneau and Garrett Stubbs are now the only catchers on the Astros' 40-man roster.
Garneau, 32, appeared in 35 Major League games last season, while splitting his time between the Angels (28g) and Athletics (7g) organizations. While in the Majors, he combined to hit .244 (21x86) with five doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI and a .350 on-base percentage and made 27 starts behind the dish. He also played in 34 Triple A games with the two organizations, hitting .248 (27x109) with 10 doubles, seven home runs and a .907 OPS (.357 OBP/.550 SLG). Originally a 19th-round draft pick by the Rockies in 2009, Garneau has appeared in 123 career Major League games with the Rockies (2015-17), A’s (2017, 2019), White Sox (2018) and Angels (2019).