catching up

Craig Tatum, who all but disappeared in 2012, recently signed a minor league deal with Miami and presumably will compete this spring for the backup catcher job with the Marlins. Tatum, 29, a former third-round pick by Cincinnati out of Mississippi State, spent last season in the New York Yankees system but appeared in only eight games. Better known for his defense than his bat, Tatum hit .195 in 31 games for Baltimore in 2011 and .281 for the Orioles in 43 games in 2010. … Former Delta State catcher Eli Whiteside is no longer on Texas’ 40-man roster but likely still will have a shot at the backup catcher job. The Rangers signed A.J. Pierzynski in late December to be their No. 1. … Ramon Castro, the ex-Jackson Generals catcher, has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after not playing in 2012. … Also coming back from a year off is ex-Mississippi Braves pitcher Blaine Boyer, signed by Kansas City. … M-Braves alum Brent Lillibridge, who played for the Chicago White Sox, Boston and Cleveland last season, has inked with the Cubs. … Former M-Braves and current Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel reportedly will pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.