Rangers Spring Training Preview: Mitch Garver

Mitch Garver missed half of last season after injury his right flexor tendon and is looking for consistent playing time in 2023.

InsidetheRangers.com previews every player on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster heading into Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona.

C Mitch Garver

In 2022: The Rangers acquired Garver to work in a catching tandem with Jonah Heim. But the flexor tendon injury he suffered early in the season derailed that plan. Garver wasn’t able to catch after the injury, and the Rangers tried to keep his bat in the lineup as a designated hitter.

What ended up happening was Garver trying to gut through an injury that needed surgery, which came in July. Garver’s batting average dropped nearly 40 points as a result of the injury and the inconsistent use.

On July 11, the Rangers put him on the 60-day injured list after right forearm flexor tendon surgery and declared him out for the rest of the season.

Garver batted .207/.298/.404/.702 in 54 games, scoring 23 runs, with seven doubles, 10 home runs and 24 RBI. He walked 23 times and struck out 53 times. He spent just 14 of his 54 games at catcher, where he was charged with one error. His other 36 games were at DH.

Contract Status: Garver and the Rangers avoided salary arbitration with a one-year agreement for 2023. Garver will be a free agent after the season.

In Surprise: The Rangers almost went to salary arbitration with Garver, which would have been the first time the Rangers had to do so with a player in more than 20 years. With the contract situation done, the Rangers now figure out where Garver fits. He should be ready to go in Spring Training. He can catch and be a DH. But the frontline catching position is Heim’s to lose. There's also the matter of Sam Huff, who could grow into a capable backup. The good news is Garver has a history as a proven hitter and catcher. The Rangers appear flexible in terms of how many catchers they keep. Texas is also looking for flexibility at DH. Right now, the Rangers aren’t looking at one particular player for that role. As long as Garver is healthy and productive in the spring, the Rangers will find a spot for him on the 26-man roster. The questions will be how much they play him and where.

2023 Texas Rangers 40-Man Spring Training Previews:

Joe Barlow | John King | Dane Dunning | Brett Martin | Jake Odorizzi | Yerry Rodriguez | Owen White | Cole Ragans | Andrew Heaney | Glenn Otto | Josh Sborz | Ricky Vanasco | Cole Winn | Nathan Eovaldi | Jon Gray | Jonathan Hernández | Spencer Howard | José Leclerc | Martín Pérez | Brock Burke | Jacob deGrom | Taylor Hearn | Jonah Heim | Sam Huff | Luisangel Acuña | Ezequiel Duran | Josh Jung | Bubba Thompson | Nathaniel Lowe | Jonathan Ornelas | Corey Seager | Marcus Semien | Josh Smith | Adolis García | Dustin Harris | Brad Miller | Mark Mathias | Leody Taveras

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