Marlins bringing back catcher Lo Duca

As Lo Duca renews acquaintances with his youngish neighbor…“Hi Aleah!”

The Marlins signed veteran catcher Paul Lo Duca to a Minor League contract on Friday.

Lo Duca will report to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday, and will likely catch and serve as a designated hitter. He said there is no timetable as to when he’d be called up to the Majors.

This will be the second stint with Florida for Lo Duca, 36, who was released by the Nationals on July 31. Lo Duca joined with the Marlins in July 2004 in a trade that sent pitcher Brad Penny to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the 2005 season, Florida dealt him to the Mets.

The Marlins are currently going with John Baker and Matt Treanor as their primary backstops, and after some time in the Minors, he could see time behind the plate for Florida in a September callup.

“I’m not here to buck the trend,” Lo Duca said. “John and Matt have done an excellent job. I just want to be a guy who can make a contribution.”