Dodgers sign veteran catcher Tony Wolters to minors contract

The Dodgers have signed catcher Tony Wolters to a minor league deal, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports .  Wolters is expected to report to the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate.

Wolters had been playing in the Cubs’ farm system on another minor league deal, but the catcher was released earlier this week.  Since Chicago had previously outrighted Wolters off the 40-man roster twice this season, it was apparent he wasn’t in the team’s plans, especially when Wolters wasn’t recalled even after multiple other Cubs catchers went down to injury.

The 29-year-old will now get another shot in the NL West, as Wolters began his career by playing with the Rockies from 2016-20.  Between that action and his 14 games with the Cubs this season, Wolters hasn’t done much at the plate (.236/.322/.315 in 1262 career plate appearances) but he is a well-regarded defensive catcher.  Wolters and fellow veteran Tim Federowicz will provide some Triple-A depth behind the Dodgers’ established catching combo of Will Smith and Austin Barnes.