Wolters joins Cubs as backup catcher

With Austin Romine still recovering from a sprained right knee, the Cubs were preparing to open the season with P.J. Higgins backing up No. 1 catcher Willson Contreras.

That changed on Wednesday when the Cubs signed Tony Wolters to a one-year contract. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, relief pitcher James Norwood was designated for assignment.

The Cubs also announced infielder Ildemaro Vargas cleared waivers and is reporting to the alternate training site in South Bend, Ind.

Wolters opted out of his minor-league contract with the Pirates on Monday when he failed to make the major-league roster.

Best known for his defensive skills, the 28-year-old Wolters played for the Rockies from 2016-20 and batted .238 with 7 home runs and 123 RBI in 391 games.

Romine has been sidelined since March 7.

"The focus with Wolters was we liked him this winter," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "We actually talked to them a lot and he ended up going to Pittsburgh. With Romine's injury, it's hard to give it a time frame but it's already been a touch slower than we thought at the beginning.

"We have a ton of faith in P.J. Higgins. Acquiring Wolters was not demeaning to P.J. in any way. It was more that we had a chance to get a guy we think is a really good defensive catcher and a left-handed bat that complements Willson."