Saltalamacchia has secured the back-up role in Detroit now that Bryan Holaday has been traded to Texas.

EDGE Analysis

Salty was brought in to be the back-up, but Holaday gave him a ferocious run for the gig in Spring Training. Still, Saltalamacchia delivered a slash line of .294/.351/.559 with two home runs and five RBI in 34 at bats this spring and his ability to hit from the left side ultimately won him the gig. It's hard to estimate his playing time at this point, but he should deliver solid value in leagues that carry multiple backstops.

Saltalamacchia, a switch hitter, was signed primarily as a left-handed bat off the bench, but he isn't about to abandon his right-handed swing, reports the Detroit News.

EDGE Analysis

In the last couple years, Salty has taken just 142 swings right-handed, compared to 520 left-handed. Over his career, he's hit .251 with 77 home runs and a .772 OPS left-handed and just .212 with 21 homers and a .621 OPS right-handed. Neither side of the plate inspires, but Saltalamacchia will be used judiciously, so he won't hurt the lineup either way.

Saltalamacchia agreed to a one-year contract with the Tigers on Sunday, MLB.com's Jason Beck reports.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia will head back to the American League after playing for the Marlins and Diamondbacks the last two seasons. The Tigers appear primed to go with James McCann as their primary catcher in 2016, so Saltalamacchia will compete for the backup job against Bryan Holaday.

Saltalamacchia elected free agency Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Saltamacchia spent the first month of the season with the Marlins before he was cut loose, but upon landing with the Diamondbacks' organization, he worked his way back to the majors by the end of May. While he had his moments in Arizona, he finished with a .225/.310/.435 slash line and nine homers in 200 at-bats between the two clubs. Expect the 30-year-old catcher to find a gig elsewhere, though he'll likely have to work himself into a starting role.

Saltalamacchia hit his ninth home run of the year, providing the margin of victory over the Padres on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

This was Salty's third home run this week as he finishes the season on a tear - he has posted a .294/.357/.686 line and five home runs in 51 at-bats over the past 30 days and has played his way into more of a split in playing time with Welington Castillo. Saltalamacchia will be a free agent at the end of the season and has probably earned a shot as a starter somewhere with the .828 OPS he has produced in the desert.

Saltalamacchia went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run in a loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

That's his third home run since Tuesday, as Saltalamacchia seems to be heating up to end the season. However, with the recent return of the injured Welington Castillo, it appears as if Salty will be forced to the bench once more.

Saltalamacchia went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia was a late addition to Wednesday's lineup, receiving the start after Welington Castillo was scratched with a sore left wrist. Combining his hot hitting with Castillo's injury concerns, Salty may suddenly find himself playing regularly at the end of a largely flat tenure with the Diamondbacks.

Saltalamacchia hit his sixth home run as part of a 2-for-3 day Tuesday in a loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Salty is still behind Welington Castillo on the depth chart, but is playing a bit more and better recently - he is 15-for-53 (.283/.356/.547) with three home runs, five doubles and eight runs scored in the past 30 days. The Diamondbacks have several long-term catching options, so his tenure with the team is uncertain, but his performance down the stretch should earn him an opportunity somewhere in 2016.

Saltalamacchia drew a walk and hit a homer in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Saltalamacchia has offered more production for the Diamondbacks than he showcased with the Marlins this season, but his .197/.289/.362 overall batting line doesn't make a compelling case for more at-bats, especially while regular catcher Welington Castillo continues to show a surprising amount of power.

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday because of a strained neck. Saltalamacchia will be on the disabled list until at least July 31, though his stint could be backdated a few days because he has not played since Sunday.