Indians add Recker as non-roster invitee
Catcher signs Minor League deal, could provide depth behind plate
CLEVELAND -- The Indians are set behind the plate with the solid tandem of starting catcher Yan Gomes and backup Roberto Perez. Cleveland's only task this winter for that aspect of its roster is to try to build up solid depth beyond its Major League duo.
On Friday, the Tribe took a step in that direction by signing catcher Anthony Recker to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invitation to attend Spring Training with the big league club. As of now, Recker would join Adam Moore (non-roster invite) and Tony Wolters (40-man roster) as Cleveland's backup catching options for this spring.
The Indians' current list of non-roster invitees includes Recker, Moore, pitcher Joe Colon, utility man Michael Martinez and outfielder Shane Robinson.
The 32-year-old Recker has been on a Major League roster to start each of the past four seasons. Over 167 career big league games in parts of the past five years, he has hit .185 with a .594 OPS in 511 plate appearances between stints with the A's, Cubs and Mets. Recker has thrown runners out at a 27-percent clip in the Majors, compared to a 34-percent mark in the Minor Leagues.
This past season, Recker hit .125 in 32 games, including 23 starts, with the Mets. In 27 games with Triple-A Las Vegas in '15, the catcher hit .245 with eight home runs, three doubles, 21 RBIs and an .896 OPS.