The Toronto Blue Jays have signed former New York Yankees backup catcher Jose Molina to a one year deal worth $400,000 with incentives for the 2010 season which includes a club option worth $1.2 million for 2011.

Molina, one of three Major League catchers in the family (Yadier for the St.Louis Cardinals, Bengie for the San Francisco Giants) appeared in 55 games with the Yankees last season, hitting .217 with one home run and 11 runs batted in.

The Jays had only one catcher on its 40 man roster before the signing in John Buck, who is destined to become the starter.

The addition of Molina most certainly puts him in line for the back up spot with Toronto also bringing back last season’s backup Raul Chavez to spring camp on a Minor League deal.

The soft hitting Molina has a .235 career batting average with 20HR & 136RBI across 10 big league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim & New York Yankees.

Molina is a defensive specialist who has provided solid defense behind the plate.

Last season in New York Molina threw out 28% of attempted basestealers and has thrown runners out at a rate of 40% over his 10-year career.

To make room on the 40 man roster for Molina, the Blue Jays placed right-hander starting pitcher Jesse Litsch on the 60-day disabled list with a right elbow injury.

Litsch is expected to be out until at least June or July.