Jose

Morales

Morales batted just .267 with a .669 OPS in 71 plate appearances for the Rockies this year before fracturing his right thumb in June. He’ll serve as depth for the Bucs.

The deal includes an invite to spring training. Morales, who turns 29 in February, batted .267/.352/.317 with a .699 OPS over 71 plate appearances with the Rockies this past season before fracturing his right thumb in June. He’ll compete for the backup catcher job behind Rod Barajas.

Morales batted .267/.352/.317 with three doubles, seven RBI and a .669 OPS over 71 plate appearances until fracturing his right thumb in mid-June. With Chris Iannetta, Wilin Rosario and Jordan Pacheco on the 40-man roster, he probably doesn’t have a place with the team in 2012. He has the option to declare free agency.

“He caught nine innings (at extended spring training), then DH’d and then has a little sore hip right now,” said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, “so we’re going to back off a little bit.” Morales was reaching the point where a minor league rehab stint was a possibility, but the Twins will treat him conservatively for now.

Twins general manager Bill Smith said he’ll share at-bats with Wilson Ramos, who was sent back to the minors on Wednesday. “There will be enough at-bats and enough innings behind the plate for both of them,” said Smith. “It’s just like last year when we had Butera and Morales in Rochester, and both needed to catch.” Morales was previous rehabbing his surgically-repaired right wrist in extended spring training.

Morales, a former third baseman, hit .311/.366/.399 as a 24-year-old in Triple-A. He gives the Twins some added protection behind the plate with Joe Mauer and Mike Redmond injured.

Morales was called up from Triple-A Rochester on Friday to provide depth at the catcher position.

It’s contagious. Morales was making his major league debut today because of injuries to the Twins’ top two catchers. Chris Heintz pinch-ran for him and stayed in to catch.

Morales, who was only called up because of injuries to the Twins’ top two catchers, got hurt Saturday in his major league debut.

He has yet to begin running, and at this point it’s unclear how long it will take him to get into game shape. The Twins reportedly believe that he’ll be ready to play before the end of April, but based on previous reports he could still be out until May.