Mets sign Jose Lobaton to minor-league deal

The Mets have signed catcher Jose Lobaton to a minor-league deal, according to a team announcement. The contract includes an invite to major-league spring training.

Lobaton, 33, will provide veteran depth behind Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki in spring training with the Mets next year. He stays in the NL East after spending four years with the Nationals.

Lobaton hit just .170/.248/.277 with four homers in 141 at-bats for the Nationals last season, serving as a backup to Matt Wieters. He’s a career .218/.295/.324 hitter with 21 homers in eight major-league seasons with San Diego (2009), Tampa Bay (2011-13) and Washington (2014-17).

Lobaton is the second free-agent signing of the week for New York, joining reliever Anthony Swarzak. Swarzak signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the club.