Mets sign catcher Taylor Teagarden

The New York Mets today announced the club signed catcher Taylor Teagarden to a minor league contract with an invite to major league Spring Training.

Teagarden, 30, spent last season with Baltimore, serving as the club's backup catcher until the organization designated him for assignment on September 1. The 6-0, 215-pound native of Dallas, TX, appeared in 23 big league games, hitting .167 (10-60) with two home runs and five RBI. Teagarden, who bats and throws righthanded, was placed on the 15-Day Disabled List on April 28 before returning on June 4.

Originally drafted by Texas in the third round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Teagarden made his major league debut in 2008 with the Rangers before the club sent him to Baltimore in a 2011 trade. Teagarden, has appeared in 163 major league games over six seasons and is a .206 (96-467) career hitter with 20 home runs and 63 RBI.