Report: D-backs catcher Jeff Mathis to sign with Texas Rangers
Nov 15, 2018, 7:15 PM | Updated: 9:52 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Jeff Mathis loses his mask as he tries to throw the ball down to second base in a vain attempt to get Atlanta Braves' Ender Inciarte, after a wild pitch by Zack Greinke during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be even more pressured to find a new catcher this offseason.
Backup catcher Jeff Mathis and the Texas Rangers are in an agreement on a two-year contract pending a physical, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Mathis spent the past two seasons with the D-backs, playing in a total of 129 games.
The 35-year-old hit just .215 and .200, respectively, in his two seasons in Arizona but played mostly because of his defense.
Mathis served as the personal catcher to ace Zack Greinke, and was often used for southpaws Patrick Corbin and Robbie Ray.
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The D-backs carried three catchers for most of last season: Mathis, Alex Avila and John Ryan Murphy.
Avila and Murphy are still under contract with the team.
Avila hit .165 last season while Murphy batted .202.
Mathis is the first member of the 2018 D-backs who will sign with another team.
Earlier this month, A.J. Pollock and Patrick Corbin declined their qualifying offers with the D-backs.
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