Mark Canha Requests Release from Rangers Organization
Veteran utility player Mark Canha has officially been granted his release from the Texas Rangers after requesting to leave his minor league contract, according to reports. The 37-year-old is now aiming to explore opportunities with other teams, ideally at the major league level.
Canha originally joined the Rangers in February on a minor league deal. During spring training, he performed reasonably well, posting a .286 batting average, a .318 on-base percentage, and a .500 slugging percentage. Despite this solid showing, he was not included on the team’s Opening Day roster. Instead, the Rangers chose Andrew McCutchen for the final available spot, leaving Canha out of the major league picture.
Although Canha had the option to opt out of his contract at the end of spring training, he chose not to exercise it immediately. Instead, he and the Rangers reached a mutually beneficial agreement. Rather than joining a minor league affiliate on the road, Canha remained in extended spring training in Surprise, Arizona. This arrangement allowed him to stay close to his home in Scottsdale and spend time with his family while still keeping himself in playing shape by facing minor league competition.
From the Rangers’ perspective, retaining Canha in this capacity provided experienced depth in case of injuries. However, nearly three weeks passed without significant roster disruptions. Aside from Cody Freeman—who has been sidelined since February with a lower back fracture—no other position players have been placed on the injured list. This relative team health reduced the immediate need for Canha’s presence.
While the roster has remained largely intact, not all players have performed strongly. Andrew McCutchen, who secured the roster spot over Canha, has struggled early in the season. Serving mainly as part of a designated hitter platoon with Joc Pederson and occasionally appearing in the outfield, McCutchen has had difficulty producing at the plate. In a limited sample of 28 plate appearances, he has struck out 12 times (a high 42.9% rate) and drawn just one walk. His current slash line of .222/.250/.407 equates to a below-average 84 wRC+.
In theory, Canha could have been considered as an alternative in that role, given his experience and right-handed bat. However, his recent major league performance raises concerns. During his time with the Kansas City Royals last season, Canha struggled significantly, hitting just .212/.272/.265, which translated to a 49 wRC+. He was released in August and did not sign with another team before the season ended.
Although Canha showed some promise during spring training this year, it is difficult to assess his current form since he has not participated in official games for several weeks. This lack of recent competitive play, combined with his declining production in the majors, may limit his chances of immediately securing a major league contract.
Going forward, it is likely that Canha will receive offers for minor league deals. However, it remains uncertain whether he is willing to accept such opportunities, especially if they involve extensive travel and time away from home—conditions he previously sought to avoid.
Leave a Reply