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Blue Jays sign backstop Thole to 1-year deal

The Blue Jays on Friday signed catcher Josh Thole to a one-year, $800,000 contract.

Thole, who appeared in 18 games last season for the Blue Jays, will contend for the backup position behind starting catcher Russell Martin, which was vacated when Dioner Navarro became a free agent.

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Minor Leaguer A.J. Jimenez is the only other catcher on Toronto's 40-man roster.

Thole, 29, is a career .249 hitter in seven seasons with the Mets and Blue Jays, and he has appeared in a Toronto uniform in each of the past three years.

Cash Kruth is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @cashkruth.
Read More: Toronto Blue Jays, Josh Thole