The Phillies on Thursday officially announced the signing of catcher Wil Nieves to a one-year deal.

Nieves, 36, hit .297 with 11 doubles in 206 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks last season. He earned $800,000 with Arizona.

Nieves is regarded as a strong defensive catcher, and should have the inside track to the Phillies' backup job. The Phils were in need of catching depth after trading Erik Kratz and minor-league lefty Rob Rasmussen to the Blue Jays for reliever Brad Lincoln earlier in the week.

Nieves, who will wear No. 21, has played 10 major-league seasons for the Padres, Yankees, Nationals, Brewers, Rockies and Diamondbacks. Only twice has he amassed 200 plate appearances.

For his career, Nieves has thrown out 24 percent of base stealers, about four percent below the league average over that span.

Phils add a reliever
The Phillies also signed right-handed reliever Jeff Manship to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.

The 28-year-old has made 52 major-league appearances (10 starts) and posted a 6.42 ERA for Minnesota and Colorado. It's been an especially rough time for Manship since 2011 -- he's 0-5 with a 7.44 ERA and has allowed 10 homers in 55 2/3 innings.