Former Cubs catcher Victor Caratini signs with Astros |
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros and veteran free agent catcher Victor Caratini have agreed to terms on a two-year contract for the 2024-25 seasons. Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Dana Brown.
Caratini, 30, is a veteran of seven Major League seasons between the Chicago Cubs (2017-20), San Diego Padres (2021) and Milwaukee Brewers (2022-23). For his career, he’s batted .236 (327x1386) with 38 home runs, 171 RBI, 142 walks, 53 doubles and a .674 OPS (.318 OBP/.356 SLG). The switch-hitting catcher spent the entire 2023 season with Milwaukee, where he batted .259 (52x201) with 23 runs, four doubles, seven home runs, 25 RBI and a .711 OPS (.327 OBP/.383 SLG) in 62 games. Defensively in 2023, Caratini committed just one error and had no passed balls in 58 games behind the plate. Caratini has also caught two no-hitters in his career. The first was thrown by right-handed pitcher Alec Mills on Sept. 13, 2020, while a member of the Cubs. The second no-hitter was tossed by former Astros starter Joe Musgrove, who completed the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres franchise history on April 9, 2021. Additionally, Caratini has appeared in 62 games at first base in his Major League career (25 starts). With the addition of Caratini, the Astros 40-man roster will be full.
