Catcher Luke Carlin has signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks that includes an invitation to spring training.
A six-year free agent, Carlin made his major league debut with the San Diego Padres on May 10, 2008 and recorded his first hit, a double, on May 11.
In his big league debut, Carlin caught future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux’ 350th career major league victory. The Padres went 14-14 during games Carlin caught for the Padres during a 99-loss season.
A 10th-round pick in 2002 by the Detroit Tigers, Carlin was signed by the Padres the following offseason. He worked his way through the system, hitting .387 to begin the 2008 season before having his contract purchased by the Padres.
A stellar defensive catcher that has a cannon arm, Carlin threw out Colorado Rockies' infielder Jonathan Herrera on an attempted steal in his second career major league game, marking the end of a streak of 56 straight base runners who had successfully stolen against San Diego starter Chris Young.
Carlin was raised in Quebec and attended Northeastern University in Boston. He played for Team Canada in the 2005 World Cup tournament and will again suit up for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.