Jimenez cleared waivers and was offered an outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.
Now that he's cleared waivers, Jimenez can choose to accept the assignment to Round Rock or become a free agent. The 27-year-old backstop had a lackluster 2017 campaign. Over 51 games with Round Rock he hit .245 with a .673 OPS. Strikeouts were a problem for Jimenez, as he struck out in 45 of his 207 plate appearances.
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Rangers' A.J. Jimenez: Draws rare start Thursday
Rotowire
Jimenez went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Athletics.
With the Rangers expected to shut down top catcher Robinson Chirinos (hamstring) for the rest of the season, Jimenez, a September callup, will move up a rung on the depth chart to serve as the top backup to Brett Nicholas for the team's final handful of games. It's expected that Nicholas will be behind the plate Friday and Saturday, but Jimenez could handle catching duties in the season finale Sunday since it's a day game after a night game. The 27-year-old slashed an unremarkable .245/.275/.398 across 207 plate appearances with Triple-A Round Rock this season.
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Rangers' A.J. Jimenez: Receives September callup
Rotowire
Jimenez was called up by the Rangers on Friday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
He got a look during spring training, but Jimenez failed to break camp with the big club and went on to post a lackluster .245/.275/.398 line with Triple-A Round Rock. The 27-year-old will likely play sparingly while serving as depth behind Robinson Chirinos and Brett Nicholas at the catcher position.
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Rangers' A.J. Jimenez: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
Jimenez was reassigned to minor-league camp Tuesday.
He was beat out by Robinson Chirinos for the backup catcher role, and will open the year providing organizational depth at Triple-A Round Rock.
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Rangers' A.J. Jimenez: Inks minor deal with Rangers
Rotowire
Jimenez agreed to a minor contract with an invitation to spring training with the Rangers on Friday.
The 26-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate before being released on Monday. In 248 plate appearances in 2016, Jimenez slashed .241/.290/.377 while hitting four home runs. He'll most likely serve as organizational catching depth for Texas this season.
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A.J. Jimenez: Released by Blue Jays
Rotowire
Jimenez was released by the Blue Jays on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.
Jimenez was DFA'd last week to make room on the roster for Joe Smith, and he'll now be a free agent after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 26-year-old has never appeared in a major league game and spent the entirety of last season (67 games) at the Triple-A level, where he hit .241 with 28 RBI and four home runs.
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Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Jimenez was designated for assignment Thursday, Blue Jays broadcaster Mike Wilner reports.
With Jimenez bumped to make room for Joe Smith, non-roster invitee Jarrod Saltalamacchia appears to be a near lock to break camp as the backup to Russell Martin. Juan Graterol is the only other catcher currently on the 40-man roster (besides Martin). Jimenez, a .245/.292/.355 career hitter at the Triple-A level, will be subjected to waivers.
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Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez: Preparing for first big league job
Rotowire
Jimenez will enter camp as the team's backup catcher, MLB.com reports.
Jimenez was drafted by Toronto in 2008, and despite being 26-years-old, the backstop has never appeared in the majors. The team will need to find a way to ease the workload of veteran catcher Russell Martin, who appeared in 137 games last season, the 33-year-old's highest total since 2009. Jimenez can't get too cozy with the idea of a job in the majors, as veteran Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who recently signed a minor league deal, could also be a candidate to relieve Martin.
Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez: Preparing for big league role in 2017
Rotowire
Jimenez is in line to be the Jays backup catcher behind Russell Martin in 2017, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.
Like last spring, Jimenez will enter camp out of options and at risk of being designated for assignment. The 26-year-old, who was drafted by the Jays in 2008 (ninth round), was a highly-regarded prospect who hasn't been able to stay healthy through much of his career. Jimenez is the only viable option behind Martin currently on the 40-man roster, but the team is expected to add another catcher, putting pressure on Jimenez to perform strong this spring.
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Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
Jimenez was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays needed to add some catching depth behind Russell Martin with Dioner Navarro and Josh Thole presumably leaving in free agency. Jimenez, 26, has hit just .245/.292/.355 in parts of four seasons at the Triple-A level. He has never hit more than five home runs in a season.
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Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez: Clears waivers
Rotowire
Jimenez cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Buffalo, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet reports.
Jimenez was designated for assignment Monday, making room for Jesus Montero on the 40-man roster. Jimenez hasn't shown much offensive potential in the upper levels of the minors, and he's yet to make a big-league appearance.
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Blue Jays' A.J. Jimenez: Designated for assignment Monday
Rotowire
Jimenez was designated for assignment Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.
After three straight seasons struggling at the Triple-A level, the Blue Jays decided to kick the backstop off the 40-man roster in order to make room for the newly-acquired Jesus Montero. He's out of options, so he'll have to clear waivers in order to stay in the organization, although there's a good chance that he'll go unclaimed given his poor history at the plate.
