Rob Brantly, the Miami Marlins' 2013 Opening Day catcher, was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox on Monday afternoon.
Brantly, acquired in the 2012 trade with the Detroit Tigers that included Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, spent all of 2014 in Triple-A New Orleans where he hit .255 with 15 doubles, two triples, four homers and 37 RBI in 101 games.
Upon his arrival in Miami from Detroit, Brantly batted .290 with eight doubles, three dingers and eight RBI in 31 games as a rookie. But he struggled in 67 contests to open 2013, posting a .211 average with nine doubles, one homer and 18 RBI. He also committed five errors. When backup Jeff Mathis returned from a broken collarbone, Brantly's playing time decreased, and he was demoted to the Zephyrs.
The 25-year-old had since fallen behind on the organization's depth chart. Jarrod Saltalamacchia signed a three-year deal last offseason, and Mathis remained as the backup. J.T. Realmuto got called up for his big-league debut this season from Double-A Jacksonville. Last month, the Marlins added Austin Barnes to the 40-man roster.
Miami now has 39 players on the 40-man roster and can participate in the Rule 5 Draft, which takes place this Thursday.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
