With backup catcher Jason Castro on the injured list with a knee injury, the Astros are reinforcing their depth at catcher by signing veteran Drew Butera to a minor league contract.
The team announced the move Tuesday night, saying Butera will most likely join the Triple A Sugar Land Skeeters later this week.
Butera could provide depth behind Martin Maldonado, along with Garrett Stubbs. Castro's place on the injured list is retro to Aug. 26.
Butera, who's spent 12 years in the Majors, was most recently with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim earlier this season, where he started 12 games in May.
Most of Butera's time this season has been spent with the Angels' Triple A Salt Lake Bees, where he hit .222 with four home runs, seven doubles, a triple and 11 RBI in 49 games.
Butera has appeared in 521 Major League games at catcher (390 starts) and in 556 games overall. He also has playoff experience as he saw limited action as a member of the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals team and was a member of the 2018 Colorado Rockies club that defeated the Cubs in the 2018 NL Wild Card Game. Butera has also caught two no-hitters in his Major League career.
In his career, Butera has had Major League stints with the Twins (2010-13), Dodgers (2013-14), Angels (2015 & 2021), Royals (2015-18) and Rockies (2018-20).
He's hit .196 with 19 home runs and 123 RBI in 556 games.
