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Expectations for Rangers' 2022 Season

Rangers Mitch Garver Activated, To Start vs. Astros

Rangers send Nick Solak to Round Rock, meaning that Jonah Heim and Sam Huff will split catching duties

Texas Rangers catcher Mitch Garver was called up from Triple A Round Rock and will start at designated hitter when the Rangers face the Houston Astros on Thursday.

This will be Garver’s first action with the Rangers since May 8, when the Rangers lost to the New York Yankees, 2-1. Garver went 2-for-4 with two doubles in that game. But he also suffered a flexor tendon strain in his right forearm, which led to the Rangers putting him on the injured list on May 9.

Before the injury, Garver had a hitting slash of .205/.292/.346 in 22 games.

May 1, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Mitch Garver (18) and starting pitcher Taylor Hearn (52) warm up before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Globe Life Field.

Mitch Garver and Taylor Hearn

May 3, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Mitch Garver (18) celebrates with right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) after hitting a two RBI home run during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Adolis Garcia and Mitch Garver

Apr 10, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers left fielder Nick Solak (15) slides into home plate to score against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Solak

To make room for Garver, the Rangers are optioning Nick Solak to Round Rock.

Garver started a rehab assignment on Tuesday at Frisco, where he went 0-for-2 with two walks. On Wednesday, the Rangers moved him up to Round Rock for another rehab game, during which Garver went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.

The Rangers optioned Solak because, for the time being, Garber will only be a designated hitter as he allows his flexor tendon to continue its recovery. That means that the Rangers will split catching duties between Jonah Heim and Sam Huff.

Apr 27, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro (18) tags out Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim (28) at home plate during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jonah Heim

Oct 2, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Brett Martin (59) and catcher Jonah Heim (right) celebrates their teams win over the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Martin and Jonah Heim

Sep 23, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Sam Huff

Huff has already been up-and-down from Triple A Round Rock once this season.

Garver came to the Rangers in a trade in March. The Rangers moved infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and right-handed pitcher Ronny Henriquez to the Minnesota Twins to acquire Garver. The former ninth-round pick of the Twins won the 2019 Silver Slugger award for catchers with a hitting slash of .273/.365/.630, along with 31 home runs and 67 RBIs.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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