Higashioka signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with Texas on Monday, which includes a $7 million mutual option for 2027. Higashioka will add a veteran presence to the backstop position for Texas and is likely to share the workload with Jonah Heim, who struggled during the 2024 campaign. Higashioka is coming off one of his most productive seasons at the plate, swatting a career-high 17 home runs and recording 45 RBI in 84 games for the Padres.
Heavy on Rangers
Texas Rangers news, rumors, and information.
Latest Rangers News Alerts
Higashioka signed a two-year, $13.5 million contract with Texas on Monday, which includes a $7 million mutual option for 2027. Higashioka will add a veteran presence to the backstop position for Texas and is likely to share the workload with Jonah Heim, who struggled during the 2024 campaign. Higashioka is coming off one of his most productive seasons at the plate, swatting a career-high 17 home runs and recording 45 RBI in 84 games for the Padres.
Seager (hip/hernia) is close to being cleared to perform all baseball activities, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports. Seager underwent sports hernia surgery in September. He's been resting and rehabbing for the last two months but is almost ready to begin his normal offseason routine. Seager is expected to head into spring training at 100 percent.
Garcia (knee) has been cleared to begin running, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports. Garcia's 2024 season ended prematurely due to a sprained left patella tendon in his knee. He did not require surgery on the knee and is now ready to go through his normal offseason routine. The expectation is that the 31-year-old will head into spring training without restrictions.
Carter (back) has been swinging a bat and is expected to be 100 percent for the start of spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Carter was limited to just 45 games this season due to a nagging back problem and underwent an ablation procedure in October to remove tissue from his back. The expectation is that he'll be without restrictions once spring training rolls around. The 22-year-old posted just a .633 OPS over 162 plate appearances in 2024 but should enter 2025 with a regular role for the Rangers.
Sborz (shoulder) signed a one-year contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration. Sborz appeared in just 17 major-league games in 2024, as he spent four separate stints on the Rangers' injured list due to a right shoulder injury. He managed to post a 3.86 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 16.1 innings, and Sborz could be an effective option out of the Rangers' bullpen in 2025. However, he is set to miss the first few months of the campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery in mid-November,Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Dunning signed a one-year, $2.66 million contract with the Rangers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Dunning's 2025 salary represents a $670,000 pay cut from 2024, though he'll have opportunities to earn more money through incentives. It's not too surprising to see the 29-year-old righty receive a lower base salary after putting up a career-worst 5.31 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 95 innings.
Boushley signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Friday. Boushley has struggled in the minors over the past couple of seasons, turning in a 5.17 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 270 total innings between the Brewers' and Twins' Triple-A affiliates since 2023. Nonetheless, he'll join the Rangers organization to help fill out the rotation at Triple-A Round Rock, though he likely won't be much of a factor for the big-league squad.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said Monday that Sborz has been examined by multiple shoulder experts but has not yet made a decision on a course of action, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports. Sborz dealt with a right shoulder problem off and on throughout the 2024 campaign and ended the season on the injured list with what the team simply referred to as shoulder fatigue. It would seem as though surgery could be one possibility Sborz is considering, although Young didn't divulge specifics in regards to what injury exactly the reliever is dealing with. With Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc all becoming free agents, the health of Sborz is paramount.
Unlock the latest Texas Rangers news — direct to your inbox.
More From Heavy on Rangers
-
Rangers Ace Jacob deGrom Offers Telling Update on Return
Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom is progressing in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and is eyeing a return to the mound this summer.
-
Rangers’ Bruce Bochy Urges Reunion With Ace Starter Before Opening Day
-
White Sox Eyeing 3 Players From AL Contender in Dylan Cease Trade: Report
-
Rangers’ Dangerous Lineup Now Has Co-AL RoY Favorites
-
MLB Insider Predicts 2 Free Agents to Sign With Rangers
-
Free Agent J.D. Martinez Seen as ‘Potential Fit’ for AL West Team: Insider
Free-agent slugger J.D. Martinez remains on the open market. One MLB insider thinks the Texas Rangers could be a logical landing spot.
-
Red Sox Could Make ‘Late Push’ For Jordan Montgomery — If Rangers Don’t Strike