Rangers sign veteran catcher to minor league contract

The Texas Rangers agreed on Tuesday to a minor league contract with veteran catcher Austin Wynns, per MLB.com’s transactions tracker, bolstering their depth behind the plate as they deal with injuries at the major league level.

The 35-year-old joins his fourth organization of the 2026 season and his third club in the American League West. Wynns began the year with the Athletics before being designated for assignment and released in early May after a slow start. He had previously agreed to a $1.1 million arbitration salary with the Athletics for the season. After becoming a free agent, he signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels, who later traded him to the Atlanta Braves for cash. The Braves released Wynns after rookie catcher Drake Baldwin returned from injury, allowing him to elect free agency.

Wynns has appeared in 299 major league games across parts of eight MLB seasons. In 777 career at-bats, he owns a .228 batting average with 19 home runs, 32 doubles and a 67 OPS+. Including walks, he has compiled a .228/.273/.342 slash line over 840 career plate appearances.

Through 57 plate appearances this season, Wynns has recorded just four hits in 53 at-bats. His numbers have been suppressed by an extreme .103 BABIP, far below the league average of .289 and his career baseline of .294 heading into the season.

Though Wynns has never been known for his offense, he has been a dependable defensive catcher throughout his career. Across parts of eight Triple-A seasons, he has hit .277/.363/.410, is well regarded for his pitch-blocking, and has thrown out runners at a career rate above 30% in both the majors and minors.

Texas currently has Kyle Higashioka and Elias Diaz handling catching duties while Danny Jansen recovers from a forearm strain. Adding Wynns gives the Rangers experienced depth, particularly if Diaz’s roster situation changes once Jansen returns from the injured list.

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