Veteran star Andrew McCutchen made sure his arrival in Texas was memorable.

As news surfaced Thursday morning that the former National League MVP had agreed to a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers, McCutchen playfully confirmed the signing on social media — posting a photo of himself wearing a cowboy hat and boots while riding a toy horse.

According to Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, the lighthearted post reflected McCutchen’s personality as he begins a new chapter late in his career.

“To people that don't know my personality, I can come off as pretty quiet, but once you get to know me, I'm a clown,” McCutchen said. “So I like to have fun. I like to laugh. That was kind of my welcome to the people around me.”

Now 39 years old, McCutchen continues to add to an already remarkable resumé.

He currently leads all active MLB players in games played and at-bats while ranking near the top in several other offensive categories, including runs, walks, and hits.

The longtime star is widely associated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he spent the first eight seasons of his career from 2009 through 2017 before returning to the club in 2023.

McCutchen admitted he hoped to remain in Pittsburgh, but that possibility faded when the Pirates added Marcell Ozuna on a one-year deal earlier this offseason.

The uncertainty made for an emotional winter as McCutchen weighed his options and future in the game.

With Spring Training already well underway, the Rangers presented one of the few opportunities remaining for McCutchen to continue playing at the major-league level.

"There's just an understanding that it may take a few days to feel like I'm ready,"  McCutchen said. "I understand I'm on borrowed time, and understand the situation. I'm just grateful for the opportunity and grateful to get back out there.”

Last season in Pittsburgh, McCutchen appeared in 135 games and remained productive in a designated hitter role, finishing with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs while primarily serving as the club’s DH.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker is optimistic that the veteran can still contribute as camp winds down.

“I saw him a lot [as a player] obviously in the NL Central killing us,” Schumaker said. “He still feels like he has something left in the tank. We still feel like he has something left in the tank. He's going to come and compete for a job.”

If McCutchen earns a spot on the Opening Day roster, then he could serve as a right-handed complement to Joc Pederson at designated hitter.

While most of his recent appearances have come at DH, the Rangers have not ruled out occasional work in the outfield corners.

For McCutchen, the mission is simple.

“I'm at their disposal, whatever that means for them, whatever role that I might have, I'm going to be there for that,” McCutchen said. “The best ability is availability, and that's what I'm here to do.”

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