Veteran catcher a free agent after opting out of Nationals deal

Catcher Luis Torrens is back on the open market, as Talk Nats indicates the 27-year-old has exercised a clause in the minor-league deal he signed with the Washington Nationals back in May that allows him to return to free agency if not added to the roster by July 1.

The decision leaves Torrens poised to search for what would be his fourth organization of the 2023 campaign. After signing a minors deal with the Chicago Cubs back in January, Torrens made the Opening Day roster in Chicago but appeared in just 13 games before being designated for assignment and swapped to the Baltimore Orioles at the beginning of May. The Orioles then designated Torrens for assignment the following week, leading the catcher to elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A.

From there, Torrens signed on with Washington on a minor-league deal and posted a decent .258/.311/.470 slash line in 74 plate appearances with the club’s Triple-A affiliate. Still, with Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams entrenched as the club’s catching tandem at the big league level and Drew Millas acting as serviceable depth in the upper minors, there wasn’t a clear path to the big leagues with the Nationals, prompting Torrens to return to the open market.

Considering Torrens’ relative youth and unique developmental track as a former Rule 5 draft pick, he figures to receive interest from clubs on a minor-league deal, particularly considering the importance of having ample catching depth available. That importance has been showcased at various points through this season by the woes of teams such as the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels behind the plate. Torrens isn’t the only intriguing depth option who could be available, however, as Jorge Alfaro, who the Colorado Rockies designated for assignment Friday evening, could also return to free agency in the coming days should he clear waivers and reject an outright assignment.