4:08pm: The Diamondbacks announced that they claimed Nieves and placed Blanco on the disabled list.
1:51pm: The Diamondbacks are expected to add catcher Wil Nieves, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The Rockies designated Nieves for assignment last week.
Nieves appeared in 16 games for the Rockies this year, but has been sidelined since July 8th with turf toe. The 34-year-old posted a .298/.333/.404 batting line in 51 plate appearances this year. Nieves, a nine-year MLB veteran, has a career line of .226/.272/.296. Henry Blanco has been backing up Miguel Montero behind the plate for the Diamondbacks.
Henry Blanco hurt his thumb yesterday in a collision at home plate, thus the move. Not earth shattering by any means, but a good move to get a vet backup for Montero.
That makes me feel better. I hated the thought of Hank White being out of a job.
Who?
Wil NIeves!
And that is Checkmate NL West.
Watch him hit a key walk off single in the 15th inning of a tiebreaker game. 😉
How do they claim him if he was already a free agent after clearing release waivers?