According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Marlins signed Paul Lo Duca to a minor league deal today. Lo Duca will head to Triple A as the team’s insurance plan.
The Nationals signed Lo Duca for a hefty $5MM in December of ’07, three days before he was named in the Mitchell Report. The 36 year-old hit just .230/.301/.281 in 153 plate appearances, hobbled by knee surgery and a broken bone in his throwing hand. Lo Duca was a Marlin for part of the ’04 season and all of ’05, though he did not hit well for them.
Additionally, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports that the Marlins claimed Brad Ausmus off waivers from the Astros. It’s unclear whether they’ll work out a deal or salary dump. Ausmus is owed another $590K this year.
