With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training yesterday, one of the lingering questions coming into camp was the backup catcher job. Austin Hedges had a fantastic year behind the plate last season, establishing himself as one of the game’s premium defenders at the most valuable defensive position on the diamond. Last year’s backup, Hector Sanchez, signed with the San Francisco Giants earlier this offseason, leaving the Padres with only Rocky Gale and Luis Torrens as backup backstops on the 40-man roster. Switch-hitting Raffy Lopez was signed to a minor league deal earlier this offseason, but there were still rumblings that the team intended to add another catcher to the mix for depth.
Padres sign catcher AJ Ellis to minor league contract
