The Braves acquired Ryan Doumit in a trade with the Twins last month, expecting him to contribute mostly off the bench as a pinch-hitter. Doumit had suffered a concussion in August. While he made a few starts behind the dish upon his return in mid-August, he contributed only as a pinch-hitter, DH, and occasional outfielder in September.
Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press spoke to Brian Dozier, a former teammate of Doumit’s, who said that Doumit is “not catching anymore”. However, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is refuting that report:
#Braves GM Wren hasn’t talked to Ryan Doumit about ex-Twins teammate comment to Twins writer that Doumit has decided not to catch anymore…
— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) January 26, 2014
…after Doumit difficulities following Aug. concussion. #Braves traded for Doumit to be backup C/1B/corner OF. Wren no comment at this time — David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) January 26, 2014
#Twins GM Terry Ryan said Doumit was available to catch in Sept and that nothing was every communicated about any reluctance to do so. — David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) January 26, 2014
At least 1 other Twins writer spoke to Doumit’s agent a week before trade to #Braves and was told Doumit was still interested in catching.
— David O’Brien (@ajcbraves) January 26, 2014
Even if Doumit didn’t want to catch, it wouldn’t have been a huge blow to the Braves. It would simply mean that the Braves wouldn’t be able to pinch-hit with Evan Gattis or Gerald Laird without risking entering an emergency situation without a back-up catcher.
Last season, Doumit posted a .710 OPS in 538 trips to the plate with the Twins. He turns 33 years old on April 2. The Braves will be paying him $3.5 million in the last of a two-year deal originally signed with the Twins in June 2012.
