Rangers designate Gimenez for assignment

[Bob Of Burleson]

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have taken catcher Chris Gimenez off the paternity leave list and designated him for assignment.

They have 10 days to trade Gimenez, release him or get him through outright waivers. If he clears outright waivers, he can refuse assignment and take his free agency.

Gimenez went on paternity leave Monday while his wife is getting ready to give birth. That was the same day the Rangers acquired first baseman Mike Carp from the Red Sox in a waiver trade.

The Rangers are also planning to activate catcher Geovany Soto from the disabled list on Friday, and they are expected to drop one of their extra relievers. Soto is expected to split playing time with Robinson Chirinos behind the plate.

Gimenez was hitting .262 in 34 games for the Rangers. He was designated for assignment by the Rangers on April 4, cleared outright waivers, refused assignment and became a free agent. Gimenez ended up re-signing with the Rangers on a Triple-A contract and was brought up from Round Rock on May 20.

Gimenez and Chirinos shared playing time at catcher while Soto was on the disabled list recovering from knee surgery. Gimenez remained on the 25-man roster when Soto was activated after the All-Star break. Soto played in just four games before going back on the disabled list two weeks ago with a strained right groin muscle.

Now that Soto is ready to return, the Rangers don't have a spot on the roster because of the acquisition of Carp, who is platooning at first base with J.P. Arencibia.

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