Former TCU Horned Frog Bryan Holaday will join the Rangers in Arlington this weekend for their exhibition games against Cleveland.
Amid the usual flurry of in-house roster moves that accompanies the end of spring training, Texas dealt catcher Bobby Wilson and right-handed pitcher Myles Jaye to Detroit on Tuesday in exchange for 28-year-old backstop Bryan Holaday.
A Dallas native who attended W.T. White High School before playing for TCU, Holaday is expected to be on the club’s Opening Day roster as the primary backup to Robinson Chirinos. Chris Gimenez had been penciled into the backup role all spring, but an ankle infection has put his status in jeopardy.
Holaday was facing an uphill battle for playing time as a member of the Tigers, with starting catcher Brian McCann and free-agent signee Jarrod Saltalamacchia both ahead of him on the depth chart.
Since he was out of minor-league options, Holaday would have needed to clear waivers if Detroit wanted to outright him to Triple-A – a scenario that was unlikely after he batted an impressive .438 with four home runs and 12 runs batted in across just 16 Grapefruit League games this spring.
The Rangers were reported to have explored trades for Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy as well as San Diego’s Derek Norris during the offseason, but nothing ever came to fruition with those teams.
Left-handed reliever Sam Freeman was designated for assignment in order to clear a spot for Holaday on the 40-man roster.
A.J. Griffin (who has not pitched in a major-league game since 2013) appears to have won the competition for the fifth spot in the Texas rotation, although the ballclub has not made any official announcement to that end.
In-house contenders Chi Chi Gonzalez and Nick Tepesch were sent to the minors last Friday, and non-roster invitee Jeremy Guthrie was granted his release on Monday after learning he would not be in the rotation to start the season.
Right-hander Nick Martinez was then optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday afternoon, leaving Griffin as the last man standing in a race that saw no candidate emerge as a clear front-runner.
Also Tuesday, infielder Pedro Ciriaco was re-assigned to the team’s minor-league camp, a sign that offseason favorite Hanser Alberto has indeed won the utility bench role for Texas.
The Rangers completed the Cactus League portion of spring training with a 17-13 record (plus one tie), and they will host Cleveland for two exhibition games this weekend at Globe Life Park before opening the season Monday versus Seattle.
Stubbs Released, Signed by Atlanta
Outfielder Drew Stubbs was given his release on Tuesday after opting out of his minor-league contract with Texas, and he was signed to a similar deal with the Atlanta Braves the next very day.
Stubbs – who appeared in 31 games for Texas down the stretch and into the playoffs last year – became a free agent following the World Series, and he tested the open market before eventually returning to the Rangers on a minor-league pact in late February.
In another roster move, 27-year-old outfielder James Jones was re-assigned to minor-league camp on Saturday, leaving right-handed batters Ryan Rua and Justin Ruggiano as the remaining options to fill the team’s backup outfield role.
Grieve, Jones Tabbed for First Pitch
Longtime Rangers broadcaster Tom Grieve and coach Bobby Jones will throw out the ceremonial first pitch(es) before Monday’s regular season opener at Globe Life Park.
Grieve and Jones both began their playing careers in the Washington Senators organization before the franchise moved to Texas, and each is celebrating his 50th year in professional baseball.
Left-hander Cole Hamels (13-8 record/2.46 ERA/215 strikeouts in 2015) is slated to take the hill Monday against Mariners ace Felix Hernandez (18-9/3.53/191) at 3:05 p.m.
Nate's Notes 
You must be logged in to post a comment.