SAN FRANCISCO – The Braves signed catcher Ryan Lavarnway to a minor league contract and added him to their Triple-A Gwinnett roster.
Lavarnway, 27, began the season with the Orioles and went 3-for-28 with a double in 10 games before being designated for assignment last week. He cleared waivers and opted to become a free agent.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder also plays first base and spent parts of the past four seasons with the Red Sox, batting .201 with five homers and 34 RBIs in 97 games (301 plate appearances). He’ll take the Gwinnett roster spot catcher Jose Yepez, who went on the disabled list with a shin contusion.
