Bucs sign catcher Hudson to Minors deal

The Pirates added to their catching depth on Monday by signing Joe Hudson to a Minor League deal that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

Hudson, 29, was called up by the Mariners for three separate stints last season and has made 18 total appearances in the Majors over the past three years with the Angels, Cardinals and Mariners. He has five hits in 30 at-bats, with a double and an RBI. He is considered to be a quality defender behind the plate, having thrown out 43 percent of would-be basestealers during his seven Minor League seasons.

The Reds selected Hudson in the sixth round of the 2012 Draft out of the University of Notre Dame. He’s hit just .224/.312/.345 in the Minors, but he was twice named a midseason All-Star (2015 in the Florida State League and 2017 in the Southern League) during his time in Cincinnati’s system. In addition to posting an excellent caught-stealing rate in the Minors, Hudson made only 39 errors in 495 games, for a .991 fielding percentage.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington has said that he will be on the lookout for additional catching depth heading into Spring Training. The Pirates have only two catchers on their 40-man roster: starter Jacob Stallings, and presumptive backup Michael Perez. Hudson joins Andrew Susac as the only non-roster catchers officially added to the spring roster, although the Pirates have not yet announced which returning Minor Leaguers will be invited to big league Spring Training.

The club has also previously confirmed that right-hander Clay Holmes and infielder Wilmer Difo will be among its non-roster invitees this spring. First baseman Will Craig, who cleared waivers earlier this offseason after being removed from the Pirates’ 40-man roster, is also expected to be back in camp.