Tony Wolters C

The Pirates signed Wolters to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to MLB spring training, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Though he was ultimately non-tendered by the Rockies heading into the offseason, Wolters served as the team's primary backstop in 2020, starting 35 of 60 games. Despite the benefit of playing his home games at altitude over his past five seasons in Colorado, Wolters was an unproductive hitter even by catcher's standards, accruing a .238/.323/.319 batting line with only seven home runs in 1,232 career plate appearances. The 28-year-old has drawn praise for his defense, however, and that could help his case for securing a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster. He'll be competing with 40-man roster players Jacob Stallings and Michael Perez and non-roster invitee Joe Hudson for one of the two or three openings at the position.

Wolters was non-tendered by the Rockies on Wednesday.

Wolters appeared in 42 games for the Rockies last season and had a career-low .550 OPS and career-high 27.5 percent strikeout rate. The 28-year-old could latch on somewhere in a backup role on a more affordable deal than his expected arbitration figure.

Wolters isn't starting Monday against the Giants.

Wolters will take a seat for a fourth consecutive game for Monday's series opener against the Giants. Elias Diaz is starting behind the plate in his absence.

Wolters is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

After starting in Thursday's series opener, Wolters will find himself on the bench for the third game in a row. Elias Diaz gets the nod at catcher in place of Wolters, who could find himself in a three-man timeshare at the position over the final week of the season, with Drew Butera also factoring into the mix. Wolters is slashing a lowly .222/.263/.267 with no home runs, seven RBI and eight runs on the season.

Wolters will sit for the second straight game Saturday against the Dodgers.

If Wolters is still atop the depth chart behind the plate in Colorado, it's by a very slim margin. In the last six games, each of the Rockies' three catchers (Wolters, Elias Diaz and Drew Butera) has started a pair of games. Butera will take his turn in this one.

Wolters will not start Friday against the Dodgers, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Wolters hits the bench after starting two straight games. Elias Diaz starts behind the plate in his absence.

Wolters remains on the bench Tuesday against Oakland, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Wolters has started just once against a lefty all season. He'll sit in favor of Elias Diaz with southpaw Sean Manaea on the hill for Oakland.

Wolters is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Angels, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Wolters went 0-for-3 with two runs and two walks in the first two games of the series and will head to the bench for the finale. Drew Butera starts behind the plate Sunday.

Wolters isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Padres.

Wolters went 3-for-4 with one run and two strikeouts over the past two games, and he'll retreat to the bench Wednesday. Elias Diaz will take his place behind the dish.

Wolters isn't in the lineup Sunday against the Dodgers.

Wolters has gone hitless in six at-bats over the past three games, and he'll get a breather Sunday. Elias Diaz will serve as the starting catcher in his place.

Wolters is not in the lineup Sunday against the Padres.

Wolters started the past two games and will receive Sunday off after going 1-for-5 over those two outings. Drew Butera will take over behind the plate for the Rockies, batting ninth.

Wolters is not starting Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Wolters will stick on the bench for a second straight game as the Rockies face left-hander Robbie Ray on Wednesday. In his place, Drew Butera is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth.

Wolters is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Diamondbacks.

He had started six of the previous 10 games, all against right-handed pitchers. The righty-hitting Drew Butera will start behind the dish and hit ninth with southpaw Alex Young on the mound for Arizona.

Wolters went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Monday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Wolters got aboard with a single in the third inning and later scored on a Daniel Murphy sacrifice fly. In the fifth, Wolters smacked a double and came around for the go-ahead run on a Raimel Tapia single. That run held up for the win. The 28-year-old Wolters is batting .230 with seven RBI, four runs scored and three doubles through 22 games.

Wolters is not in the lineup Sunday against the Dodgers, Jenny Cavnar of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

Wolters went 0-for-2 during Saturday's contest and will head to the bench for the series finale. Elias Diaz will take over behind the plate, batting ninth.

Wolters isn't in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers.

Wolters had gotten the starting nod at catcher in the past four contests but went just 1-for-10 with one RBI and four strikeouts. Drew Butera will start behind the plate Friday.

Wolters is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Astros.

Wolters started six of the past eight games and will receive a day off after going 3-for-18 with eight strikeouts during that stretch. Drew Butera will work behind the plate Wednesday for Colorado.

Wolters is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The Rockies will wrap up their series with a day game after a night game, so Wolters will get a routine breather after he was behind the plate Monday and Tuesday. Elias Diaz will catch for Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela.

Wolters is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners.

The 28-year-old started nine of the first 11 games of the season, but he's now on the bench for the fourth straight contest. The team hasn't reported an injury, so Wolters' .492 OPS through 34 plate appearances is the likely culprit for the change. Elias Diaz will start behind the plate for the second time in four games, while Drew Butera has also started two games in that stretch.

Wolters will sit for the third straight game Saturday against Seattle, Jenny Cavnar of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

It's not clear if Wolters is dealing with an unreported injury or if the Rockies are simply preferring other options. He's hit just .219/.242/.250 through his first 10 games, so a loss of playing time isn't a major surprise. Drew Butera starts behind the plate in his absence.