Marlins sign A.J. Ellis to one-year deal

The Marlins have agreed to sign veteran catcher A.J. Ellis to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

Miami was in the market for backup catchers after Jeff Mathis signed a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks, and while the club had internal options to consider, Ellis seemed to be an ideal fit.

Manager Don Mattingly is familiar with Ellis from his time in Los Angeles, and MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reported Mattingly had spoken with Ellis about the possibility of joining the Marlins next season.

Ellis, 35, batted .216/.301/.298 with two home runs and 22 RBIs over 64 games with the Dodgers and Phillies. While Ellis is not known for his offense, he will be tasked with handling a starting staff that now features Edinson Volquez and Jeff Locke.

Now that the Marlins have added a backup catcher and two starters, the club could focus on adding bullpen help and a right-handed hitting first baseman.