SAN DIEGO -- While the Padres wait on a decision from Roki Sasaki, they¡¯ve added a potential batterymate.

San Diego agreed to a deal with veteran catcher Martín Maldonado, sources told MLB.com on Thursday. It's a non-roster contract for the 38-year-old Maldonado. He will receive an invite to Major League camp and a chance to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The Padres have major question marks at catcher, following the departure of Kyle Higashioka, who signed a two-year deal with Texas. Luis Campusano is the presumed starter at the position, though he's coming off a disappointing finish to the 2024 season. The light-hitting Brett Sullivan is the only other backstop on the team's 40-man roster.

That could leave an opening for Maldonado to win a roster spot, though he's coming off a dreadful 2024 campaign with the White Sox in which he posted a .404 OPS in 48 games before he was released midseason. Across 14 big league seasons, Maldonado has posted a .203/.278/.344 slash line with a .622 OPS. He backstopped a handful of playoff teams in Houston, including the 2022 World Series champions.

The Padres remain in search of more impactful catching help -- ideally a regular starter at the position (which could create a competition for the backup spot among Campusano, Maldonado and Sullivan).

Still, they've yet to make a Major League trade or free-agent signing this winter. The club is hoping the addition of Sasaki -- the 23-year-old ace from Japan -- will change that in a major way. Sasaki has reportedly narrowed his list of suitors to three finalists -- the Padres, Dodgers and Blue Jays.

As for the Padres' plans behind the plate, their search will be mostly for short-term help. Ethan Salas, MLB Pipeline's No. 19 overall prospect at just 18 years old, is viewed as the catcher of the future in San Diego.