Braves sign Chris Stewart to 1-year MLB deal
The Atlanta Braves have added another catcher to the mix, as they announced Wednesday the signing of veteran backstop Chris Stewart to a one-year contract.
The deal will reportedly pay Stewart $575,000, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Despite it being a major-league deal, the contract is apparently non-guaranteed, reports David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Stewart is now the third catcher signed to a big-league deal on Atlanta's roster, joining likely starter Tyler Flowers and veteran Kurt Suzuki. Flowers and Suzuki will remain the team's two primary catchers, general manager Alex Anthopoulos told O'Brien.
The 35-year-old Stewart has spent the last four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he served as Francisco Cervelli's backup. Last season, Stewart hit a career-low .183/.241/.221 with four RBIs in 51 games, and successfully caught 27 would-be base-stealers in 35 attempts.
Stewart is a career .230/.298/.293 hitter with nine homers across 11 MLB seasons with six teams.
Left-hander Grant Dayton was moved to the 60-day disabled list to open a 40-man roster spot for Stewart.