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The New York Yankees added to their catching depth on Monday, claiming catcher Eli Whiteside off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.
The 33-year-old Whiteside played in just 12 games this past season for San Francisco and will likely battle for a backup role during spring training. Whiteside has spent time in the Major Leagues with both San Francisco and Baltimore. In 208 career games, he has a lifetime batting average of .215 and a career OPS of .608.
He played in 60 games for Triple-A Fresno this season, hitting .224 with a .600 OPS. Whiteside is arbitration-eligible this winter and will likely have to perform well in spring training to win a spot on the roster. He joins a depth chart at catcher which currently includes Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and prospect Austin Romine.
Last season's starter, Russell Martin, could join that list, but he is currently a free agent after the Yankees did not extend him a qualifying offer.