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The Rockies signed veteran catcher Michael McKenry to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, the club announced in a press release on Thursday.
The man known as "Quadzilla" will likely compete for a roster spot with incumbent backup catcher Jordan Pacheco, who is nestled in on the depth chart behind starter Wilin Rosario.
McKenry, 28, posted a 73 OPS+ in 122 plate appearances for the Pirates in 2013 but is only a season removed from a 109 OPS+, mostly due to a .442 slugging percentage, in 2012. That year, McKenry smacked 12 home runs and added 14 doubles in 275 plate appearances. He was non-tendered by Pittsburgh, which is fully committed to Russell Martin as its starting catcher, in early-December.
The Rockies drafted McKenry in the seventh round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He posted an OPS in excess of .800 in five minor-league seasons in the Rockies organization and made his major-league debut with the club in 2010. He went hitless in nine plate appearances and was dealt to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for reliever Daniel Turpen following the season.
