CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) - The Cleveland Guardians have announced the signing of catcher Mike Zunino to a one-year contract.
Zunino, 31, was named to the 2021 American League All-Star team alongside hitting 33 home runs and 62 runs batted in over 109 games for the Tampa Bay Rays. However, the catcher was limited to 36 games in 2022 after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last July. During his abbreviated playing span, Zunino batted .148 with 17 hits, five home runs, 16 RBIs, and a .499 OPS.
"We think Mike's a great compliment to our team," Guardians president Chris Antonetti stated in a Thursday press conference. "He's renowned as a really good defensive catcher that does an extraordinary job leading a pitching staff, which we've shared as a real priority for us. We also think he has the ability to contribute offensively."
When asked about Zunino's recovery process from his injury, Antonetti answered: "He's doing well. He's already hitting off the tee and throwing out to 100 feet three times a week. He's on a good path. We've partnered with Mike to really work backward from spring training. To make sure we're planning accordingly and we do everything possible to make him ready for game activity come early March."
Zunino was originally drafted third overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 2012 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida. In his ten major league seasons between Seattle and Tampa Bay, Zunino ranks third overall among MLB catchers in home runs (145), sixth in catcher ERA (3.75), and is tied for 10th in Defensive Runs Saved (51).
He was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at catcher in 2018.