Pirates agree to terms with catcher Kelly Shoppach

The Pirates have agreed to terms with catcher KELLY SHOPPACH (SHAW-pick) on a minor league deal. Shoppach has been assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

The 33-year-old backstop began the 2013 season with Seattle and hit .196 (21-for-107) with seven doubles, three home runs and nine RBI in 35 games (32 starts). He also threw out eight of the 25 runners attempting to steal against him (32%). Shoppach was designated for assignment on 6/14 and released by the Mariners on 6/20. The Washington Nationals signed him to a minor league deal on 7/3 and Shoppach hit .219 (7-for-32) with five walks and two RBI in 10 games with Syracuse (Nats' AAA) - .417 (5-for-12) vs. LHP - before being released on 7/31. 

In addition to playing with the Mariners this season, Shoppach has also seen Major League action with the Red Sox (2005, 2012), Indians (2006-09), Rays (2010-11) and Mets (2012). In 571 career games, he has hit .224 (361-for-1614) with 70 home runs and 216 RBI. He is a career .261 (146-for-559) hitter against left-handed pitching and has gone 11-for-29 (.379) with five walks, two home runs and eight RBI as a pinch hitter in the big leagues.