Talk about a rude awakening.
The Texas Rangers designated backup catcher Chris Gimenez for assignment on Thursday, removing him from their paternity list to do so. His wife had yet to give birth to their child, and Gimenez had been on leave for three days.
The move was more likely a result of injured catcher Geovany Soto returning from the disabled list on Friday than anything, as Soto joins Robinson Chirinos as the clear-cut two best catchers on the Rangers roster with Gimenez on the outside looking in.
Now, the Rangers will have 10 days to trade, release or give him an outright minor-league assignment, which would likely be the case. Gimenez could refuse the assignment and be a free agent, but with a guy like him, you'd have to think he'd accept it.
In two separate stints with the Rangers this season, Gimenez is hitting .262 with no home runs and 11 RBIs and originally was getting a decent amount of playing time before Chirinos quickly established himself as the Rangers' starter with Soto on the DL for much of the season.