René Pinto: Everything you need to know

The Phillies signed Pinto to a minor-league contract Jan. 6. Pinto slashed .231/.263/.404 during parts of three seasons with the Rays from 2022-2024. He spent the 2025 campaign in the minors split between the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks organizations, hitting .259/.309/.498 with 12 homers in 64 games. Pinto will provide the Phillies with some experienced catching depth.

The Diamondbacks released Pinto on Wednesday. Pinto was removed from the club's 40-man roster prior to Opening Day and is now out of the organization altogether after slashing .268/.324/.517 with 11 homers in 54 games with Triple-A Reno. The 28-year-old will look to latch on with another organization in need of catching depth.

Pinto cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. Pinto lost the spring battle against Jose Herrera for the backup catcher spot and was dropped from Arizona's 40-man roster Wednesday. Now that he's cleared waivers, Pinto will likely assume the starting catcher role at Reno and would presumably be selected to the active roster if Herrera or Gabriel Moreno were to miss time.