The Indians will invite catcher Paul Phillips to big league camp to compete for a backup spot behind Carlos Santana.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Indians have found their fourth catcher.
They have reportedly come to terms on a minor league deal with free agent Paul Phillips. The deal includes a invitation to big-league camp in February.
The Indians said the deal wasn't official, but they were getting close to finishing it.
Phillips, 33, played 12 games with the Rockies this year. He hit .217 (5-for-23) with one RBI. He spent the rest of the season at Class AAA Colorado Springs where he hit .238 (29-for-122) with 10 RBI.
He's played in the big leagues with Kansas City, the White Sox and the Rockies. He's a lifetime .262 (58-for-221) with three homers and 26 RBI.
Phillips is expected to compete with Luke Carlin and Lou Marson for the backup spot behind Carlos Santana in spring training. The Indians needed a fourth catcher to fill out their rosters in Cleveland and Class AAA Columbus.