The Phillies and catcher are in agreement on a minor league deal, according to . The deal includes an invitation to big league Spring Training, and Gelb indicates that Gallagher is already in camp with the team. The 31-year-old Gallagher has participated in parts of seven big league seasons, the first six of which were spent in the Royals organization. That included a stretch from 2019-21 where Gallagher served as the primary backup to franchise face . During that time, Gallagher hit .251/.315/.364 acro s 118 games, good for an 82 wRC+ that, while below average, was fairly in line with expectations for a glove-first back-up catcher. On defense, Gallagher boasted strong framing numbers Tirso Ornelas Jersey with an impre sive +11 Defensive Runs Saved during his time with the Royals. Kansas City dealt Gallagher to the Padres just before the 2022 trade deadline, though he did not appear in a big league game before being designated for a signment and claimed off waivers by the Orioles in September. Gallagher was then outrighted off the clubs 40-man roster after the season without having made an appearance in Baltimore, allowing him to test free agency for the first time in his career. That led him to sign a minor league deal with the Guardians last January, with whom he made the Opening Day roster as one of two back-up options to on the clubs bench. Gallaghers time in Cleveland saw him continue to flash defensive excellence behind the plate, with +5 Framing Runs per Statcast and +7 DRS. That quality work with the glove was unfortunately overshadowed by dismal production at the plate, where Gallagher hit just .126/.154/.168 in 149 trips to the plate with the Guardians last year. That production translated to a -17 wRC+, the worst figure among all hitters with at least 100 plate appearances last year. Those brutal numbers at the plate led the Guardians to designate Gallagher for a signment back in November, returning him to free agency. Now with the Phillies, Gallagher figures to offer the club a quality, glove-first depth option behind the clubs established duo of and . The only other catcher currently on Phildelphias 40-man roster, switch-hitting youngster , has been sidelined this spring with a back injury according to Gelb. By adding Gallagher, the Phillies protect themselves from further injuries during camp thinning out their depth behind the plate entering the 2024 campaign as they look to return to the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Ozzie Smith Jersey