RANGERS SIGN CATCHER MICHAEL McKENRY AND LHP DONNIE VEAL
TO MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACTS
McKenry also receives major league spring training invitation
Arlington, Texas — The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has signed catcher Michael McKenry to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. The team has also signed LHP Donnie Veal to a minor league contract.
McKenry, 30, has seen major league action in each of the last six seasons with the Rockies (2010, 2014-15) and Pirates (2012-13). He spent all of last season with Colorado, batting .205 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI in 58 games/31 starts at catcher before his year was cut short due to injury. He had surgery for a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee in late August, but is expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training.
The Tennessee native has a career average of .239 with 29 homers and 103 RBI in 308 major league games, including a .315 mark over 57 games with the Rockies in 2014. He established career highs with 88 games, 12 homers, and 39 RBI for the Pirates in 2012. He was originally selected by Colorado in the 7th round of the 2006 June draft.
Veal, 31, who will report to Texas’ minor league spring training camp, posted a 1.69 ERA in 17 games for Aguilas in the Dominican Winter League and is currently pitching for Este in the DWL playoffs. He spent the first half of 2015 in the Atlanta organization, going 2-0, 1.69 in 17 games at Triple-A Gwinnett and allowing 7 runs in 4.1 innings over 5 appearances in 2 stints with the Braves. Veal was released on June 8 and finished the season for Long Island of the Independent Atlantic League, going 1-0, 1.45 in 20 games.
Veal is 3-3, 5.48 in 105 career major league relief appearances with the Pirates (2009), White Sox (2012-14), and Braves (2015).
