Hannah 🩷⚾️

Kyle Higashioka and Jakob Junis are headed to free agency after the Rangers bought out their mutual options, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News Yesterday, Joc Pederson declined his end of an $18.5 million mutual option, becoming a free agent. Higashioka will receive a $1 million buyout instead of a $7 million salary, while Junis gets a $1.25 million buyout on a $5 million option. Higashioka wraps up a two-year, $13.5 million deal with a .233 average and 18 home runs in 513 plate appearances. He did not play after July 20 due to a flexor strain in his forearm and hits the open market ahead of his age-37 season. Junis posted a 3.64 ERA over 54 1/3 innings this season, leading the club with 18 holds and adding six saves before Jacob Latz took over the ninth. He carried a 2.80 ERA into the All-Star break but allowed 11 runs in 19 second-half innings after dealing with left hip and adductor issues. With Elias Díaz also a free agent, Danny Jansen and Logan O’Hoppe are the remaining catchers on the roster.