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The Red Sox have acquired catcher Sandy Leon from the Nationals in exchange for cash considerations, as first reported by James Wagner of the Washington Post. Leon will join the Red Sox' major-league roster and will report to camp in Fort Myers on Tuesday.
Leon, 26, was out of options and was unlikely to make the Nationals' roster, but will find a home in Boston as a potential replacement for Christian Vazquez, the Red Sox' projected starting catcher who is battling a serious elbow injury and may require Tommy John surgery in the near future. Leon will likely split time with Ryan Hanigan behind the plate for the Sox, with top prospect Blake Swihart in the mix to join the team at a later stage of the season.
In 34 major-league games over the past three seasons, Leon has hit .189/.280/.253 with one home run and 5 RBI. He has also struggled offensively at the upper levels of the minors, though he is known as a solid defensive catcher and has put together an impressive .286/.318/.333 in thirteen spring training games this month.