The Rangers have released catcher Curt Casali, as Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (Twitter link). He’ll return to the open market in search of an opportunity elsewhere.
Several other veterans have also now been ruled out from the active roster. Righty Steve Delabar and outfielder Destin Hood have been so advised, as has third baseman Trevor Plouffe. As Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News adds on Twitter, Plouffe is considering his next steps and could request his own release.
The 29-year-old Casali came into camp in hopes of earning the back-up catching job behind starter Robinson Chirinos. But he has struggled with the bat in camp and evidently failed to beat out a variety of other possibilities.
As things stand, Juan Centeno is the most experienced option on the 40-man roster, with the recently outrighted Brett Nicholas and non-roster invitee Mike Ohlman also still on hand. Of course, it’s also still possible the Rangers could look outside the organization for a second backstop.
Destin Hood played well enough to earn a roster spot
I love Hoods tools but he didn’t walk once. HIs on base percentage was 10 points lower than his batting average. If he wants to realize his potential, he needs to improve at that facet of his game.
Wow, his obp was lower than his average How did he work that miracle?
Rays
Having watched Hood the last 2 years in NOLA, there’s no doubt he can hit. A knee injury has robbed him of his speed, which used to be above average. Decent glove and arm. You nailed it, though. He almost refuses to walk, and just doesn’t seem to have a good idea of his hitting zone. He’s a AAAA player until then.