The Rangers announced that they have signed catcher Michael McKenry and left-handed reliever Donnie Veal to minor league contracts. McKenry will receive an invitation to Major League Spring Training, per the announcement.
McKenry served as a reserve backstop for the Rockies over the last two seasons, slashing a combined .268/.367/.464 in 344 plate appearances. That’s quite an impressive batting line, even when adjusted for Coors Field, but it’s important to bear in mind that most of the damage was done in 2014, when he carried a .381 BABIP and 18.2% HR/FB rate.
The veteran McKenry’s defensive skills aren’t held in terribly high regard, either, which helps to explain why Colorado was willing to cut him loose. But he certainly makes for a useful depth option, at least, and will join the competition this spring with Robinson Chirinos, Chris Gimenez, and Bobby Wilson.
As for the 31-year-old Veal, last year marked his fifth season of MLB action, though he received just five appearances with the Braves. Veal was quite good at Triple-A, however, as he allowed just four earned runs in 41 1/3 innings with an even forty strikeouts against just eleven walks. All told, he’s thrown 69 frames in the majors, working to a 5.48 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 6.4 BB/9.
Glad someone picked up “The Fort” Loved him as a pirate, yeah coudln’t throw base runners out but was decent at the rest of the game. fun to have and gave his all through injury for the team. Would like him back in the burg if we didn’t have so much depth at the position right now.
Who is burgs backstops? Cervelli, Sanchez… Who else?
Diaz in AAA.
Cervelli and Stewart will probably be on the 25 man out of spring.
Diaz will probably show up sometime during the year.
Sanchez for depth.
Mcguire in 2017/18.
of course that doesn’t take into account any trades that could happen.
That’s actually a pair of ex-Buccos for the Rangers: Veal was a Rule 5 player for the Bucs in 2009 and lasted the whole season in the big leagues.