Nuñez augments Cleveland’s organizational catching depth with another veteran presence behind Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges and David Fry heading into next season. He could factor into their plans at some point as an emergency stopgap due to injury with Fry coming off elbow surgery that is expected to prevent him from catching next year. The 29-year-old backstop has gotten into 111 games at the highest level dating back to 2019. He posted a .669 OPS with two homers in 263 plate appearances last year at Triple-A Columbus.

Nuñez, 29, will be the fourth or fifth catcher on the Guardians’ depth chart. He spent last year hitting .187/.326/.311 in 63 Triple-A games. He played in 111 games for the Rockies from 2019-22, batting .180/.280/.373.

Nuñez was released by the Cubs earlier this week and has quickly latched on with the Pirates. The 28-year-old backstop hasn’t appeared in the majors this season after getting into 111 contests for the Rockies between 2019 and 2022.

Nuñez, 27, was designated for assignment by the Giants not long after the backstop was claimed off waivers from the Rockies, and he elected free agency. He's hit .180/.280/.373 in 347 career plate appearances, and isn't likely to get much playing time with the Cubs even if he makes the roster.