Lo Duca a Marlin again

Paul Lo Duca and the Florida Marlins agreed to a minor league deal Friday, a second chance for the veteran catcher who was released by the slumping Washington Nationals after the trading deadline.

Lo Duca, waived by the Nationals after their ninth straight loss on July 31, will report to Triple-A Albuquerque.

This will be Lo Duca's second stint with the Florida organization. He was traded by Los Angeles to the Marlins for Brad Penny in 2004. He was dealt to the Mets after the 2005 season.

Lo Duca, who signed a $5 million, one-year contract with the Nationals as a free agent last December, batted .230 with 12 RBIs in 46 games. He missed 52 games this season with two injuries to his right hand - a bruise and a broken hand. Along the way, the 36-year-old Lo Duca lost his starting job to Jesus Flores.

Lo Duca, a career .286 hitter, apologized to Washington's fans after being let go.