ATLANTA -- Veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski will return for another season with the Atlanta Braves after agreeing to a $3 million, one-year contract.
Pierzynski, 38, was a rare bright spot for the Braves this past season. Signed to serve mainly as a backup, he wound up handling the bulk of the catching duties, hitting .300 with nine homers and 49 RBIs in 113 games.
A two-time All-Star, Pierzynski has played at least 100 games each of the last 15 seasons. He could be in for another heavy workload if Christian Bethancourt continues to struggle.
Bethancourt was supposed to take over the starting duties but wound up spending most of the year in the minors. He batted .200 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 48 games for Atlanta.
It was a busy day for the Braves, who also traded Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels for shortstop Erick Aybar and top pitching prospects Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis. Atlanta also received $2.5 million, and the Angels got minor league catcher Jose Briceno in the deal.