By Rob Rains
JUPITER, Fla. – The Cardinals have reached an agreement with free-agent catcher Matt Wieters on a non-roster contract, a source told STLSportsPage.com on Tuesday.
Wieters is expected to report to the Cardinals’ spring training facility on Wednesday for a physical, at which time the deal is expected to be formally announced.
Wieters, 32, is a 10-year veteran who was with the Washington Nationals the last two seasons after spending the first eight years of his career with the Orioles.
The Cardinals’ backup catcher last year was Francisco Pena, and he was re-signed to a minor-league contract over the winter and was expected to be the backup for Yadier Molina again this season.
Wieters played in only 76 games for the Nationals last season. The switch-hitter finished with eight homers and 30 RBIs while posting a .238 average.
A four-time All-Star during his years with the Orioles, Wieters also was the Gold Glove catcher in the American League in 2011 and 2012.
The only other catcher with major-league experience in the Cardinals’ camp is Joe Hudson, who also is there on a non-roster basis.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
