Rangers sign former Twins infielder Donovan Solano to minor league contract after Corey Seager, Marcus Semien injuries
The Texas Rangers signed former Twins infielder Donovan Solano to a minor league contract on Tuesday, according to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. The Seattle Mariners released Solano, who hit .252/.295/.344 for an 84 wRC+ in 69 games with Seattle this season, on Sept. 1 to make room for catching prospect Harry Ford.
Texas signed Solano due to its need for more infield depth following devastating injuries to a pair of star infielders. Second baseman Marcus Semien will be out for the remainder of the regular season with a left foot fracture, according to Kennedi Landry. Additionally, shortstop Corey Seager has been sidelined since undergoing an emergency appendectomy on Aug. 28. However, Seager could be ready to return for the Rangers' final homestand against the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins, according to Landry.
Since he signed so late into the season, Solano won't be eligible for the Rangers' postseason roster if they make it that far. It's certainly possible, as Texas trails Seattle by just 1 1/2 games for the third and final American League Wild Card spot. If the Rangers add Solano, who will be a free agent this offseason, to the 28-man roster at some point before the end of the regular season, the former Twins infielder will have the opportunity to help his new team take over a postseason spot held by the team that released him earlier in the month.
Solano, 37, made his MLB debut with the Marlins in 2012. He spent four seasons with Miami before becoming a New York Yankee. Solano, who has posted 7.8 fWAR in his career, played in just nine major league games for New York in 2016, spending most of his time with the organization (2016-17) in Triple-A. Solano then spent the 2018 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate before joining the San Francisco Giants, spending the 2019-21 seasons with the organization. He then spent 2022 with the Cincinnati Reds, 2023 with the Twins, 2024 with the San Diego Padres and 2025 with the Mariners.
Solano was an important piece of the Twins' 2023 postseason team. Although he lacked substantial power, the veteran infielder provided Minnesota with great on-base ability (.369 OBP) and defensive versatility; Solano played first, second and third base for the Twins in 2023. Set to be 38 years old next season, the Twins may look to bring back the infielder, as he will be affordable and could provide the Twins' clubhouse with much-needed veteran leadership.