Mariners add catcher Nick Raposo off waivers

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JUPITER, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 23: Nick Raposo #93 of the St. Louis Cardinals poses for a portrait during St. Louis Cardinals Photo Day at Roger Dean Stadium on February 23, 2023 in Jupiter, Florida. (Benjamin Rusnak / Getty Images)

The Seattle Mariners have added depth to their roster, claiming catcher Nick Raposo off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

Raposo, 26, had been designated for assignment by Toronto on December 13. He's yet to play in the Majors, though he spent a couple of days on the St. Louis Cardinals active roster in June as a backup. Toronto claimed him when he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals in June.

He finished the season with a .206 batting average with eight home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .620 OPS for the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis) and Buffalo Bison (Toronto). Raposo's four minor league seasons include 219 games played with a .241 batting average, 29 doubles, three triples, 20 home runs and 92 RBIs.

The Cardinals signed Raposo as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Wheaton College.

Raposo's addition gives the Mariners a needed reserve option at catcher. Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver remain on the roster as the top catcher options for the team. However, Garver is looking for a bounce back year after a frustrating first year in Seattle last season. Seby Zavala lasted just 18 games with the Mariners as a third catcher as he struggled both offensively and defensively in his limited role. Raposo could get the chance to factor in as a spot option for the Mariners this year.