Braves, C d’Arnaud reach 2-year deal

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have filled another hole by agreeing to a $16 million, two-year contract with catcher Travis d’Arnaud.

The 30-year-old d’Arnaud spent most of last season in Tampa Bay, where he rekindled his career by hitting .263 with 16 homers in 92 games. His deal with the Braves was announced Sunday.

D’Arnaud was cut by the New York Mets after appearing in just four games, and he got only one at-bat with the Los Angeles Dodgers before he was sent to the Rays. He took over the catching job in Tampa Bay and helped the Rays capture an AL wild-card berth.

D’Arnaud gives the Braves a second catcher to pair with Tyler Flowers, who returned to the team on a $4 million, one-year deal. Atlanta’s other catcher, Brian McCann, announced his retirement shortly after the team’s loss in the NL Division Series.

The Braves have been one of the busiest teams of the offseason, re-signing four players in addition to landing d’Arnaud and reliever Will Smith.

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2019 file photo Tampa Bay Rays catcher Travis d'Arnaud waits to take batting practice before Game 4 of a baseball American League Division Series against the Houston Astros in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Atlanta Braves have filled another hole by signing d’Arnaud to a $16 million, two-year contract. His signing with the Braves was announced Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019.

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