SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers have their No. 2 catcher, acquiring Bryan Holaday from the Tigers on Tuesday. Holaday will be on the Opening Day roster as a backup to Robinson Chirinos.
The Rangers sent catcher Bobby Wilson and Minor League pitcher Myles Jaye to Detroit. They also designated left-handed reliever Sam Freeman for assignment to make room for Holaday on the 40-man roster.
"Holaday comes highly recommended by our scouts and everyone he's played with and for," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We think he's a good fit for our roster and our clubhouse. He's an athletic catcher with the kind of makeup and work ethic you want."
The Rangers have spoken to Chris Gimenez about the trade. Gimenez, still on the 40-man roster, appeared to have the inside edge to be the backup catcher but now will likely be designated for assignment before camp is over.
He would have to clear waivers before he can be sent to Triple-A Round Rock. Gimenez has the right to refuse assignment and become a free agent, but the Rangers are hoping he will remain with the organization. He is currently dealing with an infection in his left ankle, but the Rangers expect that to clear up in the next day or two.
The Rangers also have catcher Michael McKenry in camp on a Minor League contract. Brett Nicholas is currently the only catcher on the Round Rock roster, so the Rangers need either Gimenez or McKenry to stay with the organization.
Holaday was a sixth-round pick by the Tigers in the 2010 Draft out of TCU. He played high school baseball at Dallas powerhouse W.T. White.
Holaday split last year between the Tigers and Triple-A Toledo. He played in 24 games for the Tigers and hit .281 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. He has appeared in big league games with the Tigers in each of the past four seasons, hitting .251 with three home runs, 30 RBIs, a .283 on-base percentage and a .340 slugging percentage in 108 games.
Freeman pitched in 54 games for the Rangers last season, posting a 3.05 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. But he lost out on a spot in the bullpen this spring as the second left-hander to rookie Andrew Faulkner.
Wilson is an excellent defensive catcher who was the backup to Gimenez over the final two months of last season. Jaye was acquired from the White Sox in the offseason and had a 3.86 ERA in three Cactus League games.