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Brewers sign Austin Nola to minor-league deal

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The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran catcher/first baseman Austin Nola to a minor-league contract with an invitation to big-league spring training on Friday.

Nola spent most of the last four seasons with the San Diego Padres. He was San Diego's primary catcher down the stretch of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and during its 2022 run to the NLCS.

Last year, he hit a career-worst .146/.260/.192 with one home run in 154 plate appearances while backing up Gary Sánchez. Nola was a capable defensive catcher early in his career but struggled with the glove in 2023, tallying minus-3 defensive runs saved and minus-3 catcher framing runs.

The 34-year-old became a free agent when San Diego non-tendered him in November.

In Milwaukee, Nola will likely vie for a bench spot as both a backup catcher behind William Contreras and potentially as a utility player. Though primarily a catcher, he has experience playing other positions, including 62 career games at first base and 21 at second.

His spring competition behind the plate will include veteran Eric Haase, who signed a one-year deal with the Brewers in December, and top prospect Jeferson Quero. Both Haase and Quero are on the team's 40-man roster. At first base, Nola could potentially form part of a platoon with the left-handed hitting Jake Bauers.

Nola owns a lifetime .696 OPS with 24 homers and 136 RBIs over five big-league seasons with the Padres and Seattle Mariners.

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