Tucker Barnhart Elects to Leave Rangers for Free Agency
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Veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart has elected free agency, the Texas Rangers announced.
Barnhart was designated for assignment by the Rangers, cleared waivers and rejected his outright assignment.
More news: Dodgers Acquire Pitcher From Mariners in 2-Player Trade
Now, he'll look for his next home in Major League Baseball.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 17: Detail of a Texas Rangers hat and glove belonging to Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 17, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 17: Detail of a Texas Rangers hat and glove belonging to Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 17, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.Barnhart signed a minor league deal with the Rangers this past December. The 34-year-old began the season at Triple-A Round Rock, and earned a major league call up at the end of April when catcher Kyle Higashioka went on the injured list.
Even after Higashioka was reinstated, he hung around on the active roster, but didn't receive much playing time. In eight games with the Rangers, Barnhart went 3-for-13 (.231) with an OPS of .564. Across 20 games at Triple-A this season, Barnhart hit .246 with two home runs, 12 RBIs and an OPS of .745.
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Barnhart was initially drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 10th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. He debuted with the Reds in 2014, and would spend eight seasons in Cincinnati, developing into a solid starting catcher in MLB.
Barnhart won Gold Glove awards in 2017 and 2020. He had double digit home runs in two seasons, and at least 40 RBIs in five seasons.
Across 744 total games with the Reds, Barnhart slashed .248/.324/.371 with 51 home runs and 261 runs batted in.
More news: Will Yankees Be Aggressive at Trade Deadline? MLB Insider Answers
After the 2021 season, Barnhart was traded to the Detroit Tigers. He struggled to replicate his prior success, as he appeared in just 94 games with Detroit, hitting .221 with an OPS of .554.
Barnhart then bounced around the league, joining the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Rangers, as well as a second stint with the Reds organization. He has appeared in a total of 82 games at the MLB level since 2023.
Now, Barnhart will again look for his next MLB opportunity. Across 920 career games, he's slashed .241/.318/.351 with 53 home runs, 292 runs batted in and an OPS of .669.
Barnhart should have no trouble finding another minor league opportunity. Then, he'll look to work his way back to MLB.
More MLB News:
All-Star Utility Man Announces Sudden Retirement From MLB
Padres Urged to Acquire $49.5 Million Gold Glover to Fill Biggest Hole in Blockbuster Trade
Yankees, Mets Tried to Sign All-Star Infielder, Who Spurned Them for MLB's Worst Team
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