MIAMI — The Miami Marlins have released catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, making him a free agent.
The move Tuesday came eight days after Saltalamacchia was designated for assignment. The Marlins parted ways with the veteran even though he has nearly two seasons left on the three-year, $21 million contract he signed before the 2014 season.
The 30-year-old backstop played poorly last year and lost his starting job early this season to top prospect J.T. Realmuto. Saltalamacchia batted .222 in 2014 with a slugging percentage of .357 (worst among regular catchers).
Saltalamacchia, who spent his previous three-plus seasons with the Boston Red Sox, also committed 15 errors, the most by a catcher since 2003. He is 2-for-29 (.069) with 12 strikeouts at the plate in 2015.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
