Nieves was released by the Braves on Monday, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan reports. After collecting one hit with the Padres in 13 at bats, Nieves was snagged by the Braves, who sent him to Triple-A Gwinnett. While he was serviceable there, hitting .238 in 21 games, the team chose to cut him loose regardless. He will look to sign with a new team in the coming days.

Nieves signed a minor league contract with the Braves on Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Nieves cleared waivers and elected free agency Monday. After a couple of days as a free agent, he's now latched on with the Braves, where he's expected to report to Triple-A Gwinnett. He'll serve as organizational depth behind the plate for now, but could see time in the majors if either of the two Braves backstops suffers an injury that requires a DL stint.

Nieves cleared outright waivers and elected free agency, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports. Nieves has designated for assignment last Monday and is now free to sign with any team looking for a backup catcher. The 37-year-old collected one hit in 13 at-bats with the Padres this season.

Nieves may be designated for assignment Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The Padres plan to call up top catching prospect Austin Hedges to serve as Derek Norris' primary backup. Nieves, who has thus far only garnered 13 at-bats while working in that same role, is the obvious candidate for a demotion.

Nieves was added to the 25-man roster as the backup catcher to Derek Norris, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. He'll be the backup catcher with Tim Federowicz out with a meniscus injury for three-to-six months.

Nieves received a $100K retention bonus from the Padres on Tuesday, allowing the team to wait until Sunday to decide whether or not it will carry him on the Opening Day roster, the Union-Tribune reports. Because Nieves is a veteran with major league experience, the Padres had to decide Tuesday to either add him to the Opening Day roster, pay him the retention bonus, or release him. The Padres' situation at catcher behind Derek Norris became clouded after Tim Federowicz went down with a meniscus injury that will sideline him for three-to-six months. The only other viable catcher in Padres camp is Rocky Gale, who is a non-roster invitee. By paying Nieves the retention bonus, the Padres will have until noon on Sunday to decide if they will carry Nieves or Gale on the Opening Day roster.

Nieves is batting .176 this spring going into Monday's game against the White Sox but still remains the Padres' top option for the backup catcher spot, the Union-Tribune reports. Nieves was hitless through his first ten at-bats this spring, but has gone four for his last seven to raise his average to .176. The combined lack of production from Nieves and starter Derek Norris at the dish this spring leaves open the possibility of San Diego acquiring another major league level catcher to back up Norris. For now, Nieves remains the Padres' second catcher.

Nieves has the inside track for the Padres' backup catcher spot. Tim Federowicz going down with a torn meniscus makes Nieves the obvious choice for the backup catcher role behind Derek Norris. However, Nieves, age 37, has struggled at the plate so far in camp after going 0-for-8 with a walk and a strikeout. It's not out of the question that the Padres will make a move for another catcher, but in the meantime, Nieves has a solid foothold on the backup spot.

Nieves will be the starting catcher for Wednesday's spring training opener against Seattle, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports. Nieves will be the battery mate of fellow veteran Jason Lane on Wednesday. He will be competing with Tim Fedorowicz for the Padres' backup catcher spot throughout spring training, with Derek Norris penciled in as the everyday catcher.

Nieves signed a minor league contract with the Padres on Monday that includes an invite to spring training, Corey Brock of the team's official site reports. Nieves spent most of the season with the Phillies in 2014 serving as the backup to Carlos Ruiz, and finished the season with a .254/.270/.344 batting line with one home run and seven RBI in 36 major league games. He will likely compete with Tim Federowicz for the Padres' backup catching job behind Derek Norris.