OF DJ Peters assigned outright to Triple-A Round Rock
Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers tonight announced that the club did not tender 2021 contracts to catchers David Garcia and Yohel Pozo, and outfielder Billy McKinney prior to tonight’s 7:00 p.m. CST deadline. All three players become free agents. Additionally, outfielder DJ Peters has been assigned outright to Triple-A Round Rock.
A summary of Rangers transactions for Tuesday evening:
- Outfielder Kole Calhoun agreed to terms on a one-year free agent contract for 2022 with a club option for 2023 season.
- Catchers David Garcia and Yohel Pozo, and outfielder Billy McKinney not tendered 2021 contracts prior to 7:00 p.m. CST deadline, making them free agents.
- Outfielder DJ Peters assigned outright to Triple-A Round Rock.
Garcia recorded a .256 batting average, 5 home runs and 40 RBI in a career-high 83 games with High-A Hickory this season. The Venezuela native owns a career .253 batting average, 12 home runs and 115 RBI over four minor league campaigns since signing with Texas as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2016.
McKinney was acquired by Texas from the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with outfielder Zach Reks, in exchange for cash considerations on November 22. The Dallas native saw Major League action with three different teams in 2021, compiling a .192 batting average, 9 home runs, and 27 RBI in a career-high 116 games for Milwaukee, the New York Mets, and the Dodgers.
Pozo batted .284/.312/.378/.690 (21-74) with one home run and 9 RBI in 21 games/19 starts with Texas in 2021, his first big league action. A native of Venezuela, Pozo was selected by Texas from San Diego in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 10, 2020 after originally signing with the Rangers as a non-drafted free agent on August 17, 2013.
Peters combined to bat .197 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI in 70 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas in 2021, his first career Major League action. In 43 games with the Rangers, he finished among A.L. rookies in home runs (13th, 12) and RBI (T17th, 34) while ranking among team leaders in home runs (4th) and RBI (6th). Peters was acquired by Texas from the Dodgers via waiver claim on August 2.
Following tonight’s transactions, the Rangers now have 36 players on the club’s Major League roster.
