Thole is traveling with the Yankees as part of their taxi squad, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Thole began the season near the bottom of the team's catching depth chart, but an injury to Kyle Higashioka (oblique) and the retirement of Chris Iannetta has catapulted Thole to taxi-squad status. Though he's unlikely to be activated barring injury or illness to either Gary Sanchez or Erik Kratz, Thole will likely accompany the team on road trips until Higashioka is able to return. The Yankees' acquisition of Rob Brantly on Wednesday does cast some question about Thole's place on the depth chart moving forward, however.
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Yankees' Josh Thole: Optioned to alternate camp
Rotowire
Thole has been assigned to the Yankees' alternate training site.
Given Thole's place at the bottom of New York's catching depth chart, it comes as no surprise that he won't be part of the big-league roster to begin the season. He'll instead provide a veteran presence as part of the Yankees' satellite camp.
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Yankees' Josh Thole: Makes 60-man player pool
Rotowire
Thole has been named part of the Yankees' 60-man roster.
Thole joined the Yankees on a minor-league deal in January and now finds himself filling the role of organizational depth behind the plate. The veteran has not logged a major-league at-bat since 2016, so he's unlikely to see much, if any, playing time this season.
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Yankees' Josh Thole: Signs minors deal with Yankees
Rotowire
Thole signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Thole has played 478 career big-league games, but none of them have come since 2016. With a career .242/.313/.306 slash line and no recent major-league experience, he'll likely serve as organizational depth this season.
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Angels' Josh Thole: Moves across town
Rotowire
Thole was traded from the Dodgers to the Angels on Friday along with Adam McCreery in exchange for cash considerations.
The Angels need another catcher with Jonathan Lucroy out with a concussion and a broken nose and Kevan Smith dealing with a sprained hand. Thole will report to Triple-A Salt Lake, indicating that Smith is likely ready to go. Thole is good enough to fill in at the position if called upon, but nothing about the eight-year veteran's .242/.313/.306 career slash line suggests he'll be a fantasy asset if he gets a chance with the Angels.
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Dodgers' Josh Thole: Promoted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Thole has been promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Austin Barnes sustained a groin injury Sunday, so Thole's promotion is a likely sign that catching prospect Will Smith is headed to the big leagues, per Gurnick. Thole was slashing .277/.368/.400 for Double-A Tulsa before the move.
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Dodgers' Josh Thole: Links up with Dodgers
Rotowire
Thole signed a minor-league contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Thole hasn't appeared in the majors since 2016, when he hit .169/.254/.220 across 136 plate appearances for the Blue Jays. He spent time in the independent Atlantic League in 2018, slashing .317/.425/.367 across 17 games. Look for him to serve as organizational catching depth in 2019.
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Tigers' Josh Thole: Joins Tigers on minor-league deal
Rotowire
Thole signed a minor-league deal with Detroit on Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
The veteran catcher last played in the big leagues for the Blue Jays in 2016, posting a .169/.254/.220 line in 50 games. He's expected to report to Double-A Erie.
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Josh Thole: Cut by Diamondbacks
Rotowire
Thole was released by the Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Thole joined the Diamondbacks at major-league spring training but went hitless in his 12 at-bats in the Cactus League. He'll look to latch on with another club, but he'll almost certainly have to settle for a minor-league deal.
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Diamondbacks' Josh Thole: Out at least four months
Rotowire
Thole underwent surgery this spring to repair a torn hamstring and won't be able to ramp up activities until at least early August, the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reports.
He was in camp on a minor-league deal with Arizona, but it seems unlikely that he will be able to play in a game this season. Thole expressed a desire to play in winter ball as a way to limit his time away from competition.
