The Rangers announced on Tuesday afternoon that the club extended catcher Robinson Chirinos through the 2018 season with an option for 2019. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Chirinos will earn $2.25 million next season and the option for ’19 is worth $2.375 million with a $100,000 buyout and incentives based on at-bats.
Chirinos, 32, avoided arbitration with the Rangers in January, agreeing to a $1.95 million salary for the upcoming season. He had one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Last year, Chirinos hit .224/.314/.483 with nine home runs and 20 RBI in 170 plate appearances. He’ll serve as Jonathan Lucroy’s understudy behind the plate for the Rangers for the 2017 campaign.
