The Texas Rangers have added experienced depth behind the plate, signing catcher José Herrera to a minor league contract, according to a report from Daniel Álvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. As part of the agreement, Herrera will receive an invitation to major league camp this spring, giving him a chance to compete for a role or, at the very least, position himself as a reliable depth option entering the 2026 season.

Herrera, who will turn 29 in February, is changing organizations for the first time in his professional career. He originally signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an international amateur out of Venezuela in 2013 and spent more than a decade in the organization.

After becoming a free agent in October, Herrera now joins Texas following years of serving as a familiar but often overlooked piece of Arizona’s catching depth.

Over the past four seasons, Herrera frequently bounced between the majors and Triple-A as a reserve catcher. Arizona’s long-term investment in Gabriel Moreno limited Herrera’s opportunities for consistent playing time, leaving him to function primarily as a backup or injury replacement.

During that stretch, Herrera logged 562 major league plate appearances and produced a .200/.280/.259 slash line. While he is a switch-hitter, his offensive output has been modest against pitchers from either side, and he has never been relied upon for run production.

Defensively, Herrera’s profile is more favorable. He has earned a reputation as a steady receiver in terms of blocking pitches and controlling the running game, traits that can be valuable in short stints or spot starts.

However, advanced metrics have generally rated his pitch framing below average, limiting his overall defensive impact compared to some other reserve catchers around the league.

Roster circumstances in Arizona ultimately played a major role in Herrera’s departure. From 2022 through 2024, the Diamondbacks shuttled him between Triple-A and the majors, using up all three of his minor league options. Entering 2025 out of options, Herrera held onto a roster spot early in the season, particularly while Moreno dealt with injuries.

During that time, Arizona signed veteran James McCann to provide additional stability behind the plate. Once Moreno returned from the injured list in August, the Diamondbacks opted to carry Moreno and McCann as their catching tandem, leaving Herrera without a role. He was designated for assignment, outrighted to Triple-A, and ultimately reached free agency at season’s end.

For the Rangers, the signing fits neatly into their offseason catching overhaul. Texas already made waves by non-tendering Jonah Heim and then committing to Danny Jansen on a two-year deal. Jansen is expected to share big league catching duties with Kyle Higashioka, forming the primary tandem.

Herrera’s addition gives the Rangers a veteran safety net at Triple-A—an experienced backstop who can step in if injuries arise without occupying a 40-man roster spot.

While Herrera is unlikely to push for everyday playing time, his familiarity with major league pitching staffs and ability to handle defensive responsibilities make him a practical depth signing. 

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