WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Veteran catcher Christian Vázquez, who was a part of the Astros' World Series championship team in 2022, is returning to the club on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Vázquez will join the Astros after he’s done playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
The Astros have been looking to add backup catching depth behind starter Yainer Diaz since losing Victor Caratini in free agency. César Salazar and veteran Carlos Perez have been competing for the backup catcher spot, but the addition of Vázquez is a sign the club wants more options and depth at the position.
“Christian is someone who knows this staff very well,” manager Joe Espada said. “He’s caught a no-hitter in the World Series, [has] a ton of experience. We thought that it was valuable to bring him in here and continue to help our catching depth, and our pitching staff also. We have a ton of young arms, and having someone who’s been around, been in the postseason -- adding him to Major League camp will be beneficial for all of us.”
Vázquez, 35, spent three seasons with the Twins after leaving Houston, but his offensive numbers have declined every season. Last year, he slashed .189/.271/.274 with three homers in 65 games in a backup role in Minnesota.
The Astros acquired Vázquez from Boston at the Trade Deadline in 2022, sending Enmanuel Valdez and outfielder Wilyer Abreu to Boston in the deal. He slashed .250/.278/.398 in 35 games with the Astros and went 4-for-17 in Houston’s postseason run and won his second World Series ring (he also won with Boston in 2018).
Vázquez caught every pitch of the Astros’ combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series thrown by Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly. He started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Houston’s Game 6 clinching win over the Phillies. The Astros allowed one run in the 33 innings Vazquez caught in the ‘22 postseason.
Salazar, a solid defender who is popular in the clubhouse, is out of options, so he would need to be placed on waivers if he doesn’t make the club.
“We all look at it as competition in general,” Espada said. “That's what we do in here. We’re competing. I don’t think there’s any guarantees but for a few guys on our team that know they’re starting on Opening Day and know they’re on the Opening Day roster. Adding depth is important and you can never have enough good players with a lot of experience.”