Austin Wynns Called Up to Rangers Catching Corps After Higashioka Injured

The Texas Rangers promoted catcher Austin Wynns from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday following Kyle Higashioka's right flexor strain injury, marking the second significant injury to the club's catching rotation this season. Wynns was signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers on June 23 and becomes the third catcher in the organization's plans after both Higashioka and Danny Jansen landed on the injured list.

Higashioka, who is in the final year of a two-year contract with Texas, first felt discomfort in his elbow midgame during Sunday's contest against Atlanta. The injury progressively worsened as the game continued, prompting concern given his history of Tommy John surgery undergone in Triple-A with the Yankees in 2013. "Right now, the one thing we can do is let it heal and try to come back as soon as possible," Higashioka said, while noting he would remain sidelined for an unspecified amount of time with restrictions on throwing activities.

Prior to this injury, Higashioka had appeared in 58 games during the season, recording a .218 batting average with seven home runs and 18 RBIs. Over his final 35 games dating back to May 17, he posted a .785 on-base plus slugging percentage. Jansen initially landed on the injured list on June 6 with a right forearm strain, prompting the Rangers to sign Elias Díaz as a short-term offensive option. Díaz has contributed meaningfully, batting .267 with a .273 on-base percentage and .400 slugging percentage across 31 games with the club.

Wynns brings veteran minor league experience and has accumulated 299 games across his major league career with the Orioles, Giants, Dodgers, Rockies, Reds, Athletics, and Braves from 2018 through 2026. He has hit .228 with 19 home runs and 84 RBIs throughout those stints. The Rangers also announced the selection of left-hander Marco Gonzales, a 34-year-old veteran pitcher, to serve primarily as a long reliever. Gonzales was released by the Padres after posting a 7.99 earned run average in 13 appearances with their Triple-A affiliate and has made four starts for Round Rock with an 8.64 ERA this season.