ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers released veteran catcher Sandy Leon, who signed a minor league contract after camp in Arizona.
Texas announced the decision Monday before Texas’ exhibition game against Kansas City, which shares a practice facility in Surprise, Arizona.
The 34-year-old Venezuelan signed with the Rangers before the start of spring training. The catcher played in 533 games over 11 seasons with five teams.
Mitch Carver is back after missing the second half of last season with the Rangers after undergoing surgery on his right hand in July. Jonah Heim played in 111 games last season, and Texas also has prospect Sam Huff.
Rangers are Lyon’s fourth team since last year. He started last spring camp with the Cleveland Rangers, but was released before the season started. He signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds on April 16 and was reacquired by the Rangers on June 28 before being sent to Minnesota on August 2. He became a free agent after the season.
In 33 games with the Guardians and Twins last year, he hit .169 with zero homers and four RBIs. His batting average was .210 as a player in Boston, Washington and Miami.