ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The Texas Rangers have avoided salary arbitration with Robinson Chirinos, agreeing to a $1.55 million contract with the catcher who started the most games for them last season.
Chirinos was limited by a left shoulder strain over the final two months of his second full season with Texas. But the 31-year-old catcher started three of five games in the Rangers’ AL Division Series loss to Toronto after getting 73 starts in the regular season.
Chirinos hit .232 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs in 78 games. He has a career average of .232 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs in 204 games.
The agreement announced Friday leaves the Rangers with four players eligible for arbitration, including first baseman Mitch Moreland and right-hander Shawn Tolleson, their closer most of last season.