Report: Marlins agree to 1-year deal with A.J. Ellis
The Miami Marlins are reuniting A.J. Ellis with his former skipper Don Mattingly, after agreeing to a one-year, $2.5-million contract with the catcher on Wednesday, ESPN's Buster Olney reports.
Ellis, 35, spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Dodgers - and had Mattingly on the bench from 2011-15 - before he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies this past August.
The veteran backstop was a big clubhouse influence in L.A. and the personal catcher - and close friend - of three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw before he was traded.
Ellis will presumably fill the backup catcher's role - behind J.T. Realmuto - left vacant when Jeff Mathis signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Over the course of nine seasons in the big leagues, Ellis owns a .239/.340/.351 with 37 home runs, 69 doubles, and 200 RBIs.