The Toronto Blue Jays obtained some catching depth from a division rival Thursday, claiming Luke Maile from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Maile’s a 26-year-old who bats right-handed and has some experience at first base to go along with his extensive catching resumé. An eighth-round draft pick in 2012, he reached the MLB level for the first time in 2015 then set a career high with 42 games played in 2016.
Overall Maile has a .214/.234/.338 batting line against MLB pitching. In parts of five minor-league seasons, he has had more success at the plate, with a .257/.336/.367 batting line and 19 home runs in 400 games.
The Blue Jays are set behind the plate at the MLB level, with catchers Russell Martin and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (although Martin took a foul tip off his right hand Wednesday in Baltimore, he stayed in the game). At triple-A, the Blue Jays’ catching mix includes Juan Graterol, a recent waiver claim from the Los Angeles Angels, and Mike Ohlman, who posted a .778 OPS in the upper minors of the St. Louis Cardinals‘ system last year.
The Rays designated Maile for assignment Saturday, removing him from their 40-man roster. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, had an open 40-man roster spot before making the claim.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported that the Blue Jays would acquire Maile.