Shocking Rangers injury update provides much-needed clarity to catching situation

Sometimes injuries can completely change a team's trade deadline priorities. With the news that Danny Jansen is likely done for the year with a forearm/elbow situation and Kyle Higashioka's future uncertain on the IL, the Rangers are down to one experienced catcher, Elias Diaz, on the roster.

What was once considered a luxury that was third or fourth on the list of needs has suddenly risen to the top, alongside right-handed relief pitching. Journeyman backstop Austin Wynns' contract has been selected from Round Rock as a stopgap measure, but is not being viewed as a permanent fix to the problem.

The Rangers are suddenly in need of a quality catcher at the trade deadline due to injuries to Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka

Thank goodness for Elias Diaz. Without him, the Rangers would be in a very bad spot at catcher now that the team's top two catchers out of spring training are on the shelf. Higashioka, who has already had Tommy John surgery on the same right elbow, went down with a flexor strain, and the timetable for his return is unclear.

Danny Jansen has been on the IL since June 6, which led to the immediate signing of Diaz, who performed better than both Jansen and Higashioka since his arrival in Arlington.

The Jansen news secures Diaz's short-term future with Texas, which was in doubt due to Jansen's contract running through 2027 and the financial commitment to Higashioka this season. So, the silver lining is that a player who doesn't deserve to get the boot won't get squeezed out.

Now, Chris Young's hand will be nudged in the other direction as catcher becomes a major area of need just days before the trade deadline. It may bring some names into play that were previously thought to be too pricey or unattainable.

The best catchers available are the Rockies' Hunter Goodman and the Twins' Ryan Jeffers. They are the two names that have been tossed around the most. Even though the Athletics appear to be out of it and are sellers, it seems unlikely they will dangle Shea Langeliers out there within the division. He will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

So, where do the Rangers go? Do they go all in on a prized backstop like Goodman or Jeffers, or settle for a lesser-quality catcher to go along with Diaz and hope that Higgy comes back at some point over the next two months?

Baltimore's Adley Rutschman and Cincinnati's Tyler Stephenson are two names that are a tier below Goodman and Jeffers, but they won't come cheap. Rutschman is a 3-time all-star, but has some serious red flags, and Stephenson is a career .260 hitter with power who will be coveted as well.

It will be interesting to see how the Rangers front office reacts to the sudden dearth of talent at one of the most important positions on the field. Maybe this news will provide the clarity that Young and company need to make a move behind the plate, as the Rangers looked poised to make a second-half run at the postseason.

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