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The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed free agent catcher Wil Nieves, reports Steve Gilbert of MLB.com:
Hearing Wil Nieves is joining
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) August 6, 2012#Dbacks as backup catcher. Henry Blanco headed back to Phoenix.
Nieves will replace Henry Blanco as the Diamondbacks’ backup catcher, as Blanco is likely headed for the disabled list with a thumb injury. The backstop’s ailment could be season-ending.
Nieves was designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies last week and eventually hit the free agent market.
Over sixteen games with the Rockies this season, Nieves hit .298/.333/.404 with two doubles and a home run. The 34-year-old also spent time with the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate, hitting .306/.336/.423 with four doubles and three home runs over 111 at-bats.
Nieves has spent nine seasons at the major league level as a member of the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers and Rockies. He owns a career line of .226/.272/.296.