The Marlins are bringing back a familiar face behind the plate, re-signing catcher Brian Navarreto to a minor league deal. It’s a depth move, but one that offers some flexibility as Miami pieces together its catching situation heading into 2026.
Navarreto, who turns 31 later this month, has carved out a journeyman career as a dependable organizational catcher. He’s not a household name, but he’s been around the block - and more importantly, he’s been reliable when called upon.
His big league experience is limited - just 10 games over two separate stints - but he made the most of his most recent opportunity. Called up this past September, Navarreto collected four hits in eight games, including a home run, while holding down a spot on the active roster for the final month of the season.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Navarreto is a right-handed hitter with a .234/.301/.369 slash line across five seasons in Triple-A. He’s spent time in several organizations - Minnesota, the Yankees, Milwaukee - before finding a home with Miami. While his bat hasn’t exactly forced the issue at the big league level, he’s earned a reputation as a steady presence behind the plate, capable of handling a pitching staff and doing the little things that don’t always show up in the box score.
With this deal, Navarreto is expected to return to Triple-A Jacksonville, where he’ll likely serve as a veteran mentor and backup option to rising prospect Joe Mack. Mack is expected to get a serious look for a call-up at some point next season, and until then, Navarreto gives the Marlins a sturdy insurance policy in case of injuries or unexpected roster shuffling.
There’s also a scenario where Navarreto could sneak into the big league picture again. If either Liam Hicks or Agustin Ramirez - both in the running for backup roles - go down in Spring Training, Navarreto could be in line to compete for a spot. That’s assuming, of course, the team opts to keep Mack in the minors to start the season, which seems likely for development purposes.
At the end of the day, this is the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines but matters over the course of a long season. Navarreto knows the system, knows the pitchers, and knows his role. In an organization that values depth and continuity, bringing him back just makes sense.