Taylor Teagarden Designated for Assignment

Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Career backup Taylor Teagarden has never provided much offensive value over the course of his professional career, though he’s continued to see opportunities from the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles organizations. Teagarden’s latest stint with the Orioles appears to be up, as the team designated the 29 year old on Sunday in order to clear space on their 40-man roster to recall another catcher, Chris Snyder, instead.

Baltimore will have 10 days to trade or release Teagarden. He’s able to refuse an outright assignment to the minor leagues once he clears waivers.

Acquired from the Rangers in a December trade two years ago, Teagarden has bounced back and forth between the major and minor leaguers since joining the organization – just as he had his entire career with Texas. The former 3rd Round pick has hit just .206/.266/.390 in 518 PA over the past six seasons. He’d hit just .167/.180/.300 in 62 PA with the Orioles this season. He’s also seen just 13 PA at Triple-A, adding a .077/.077/.077 line (1 hit, 13 AB). There have been suggestions that the organization hopes to retain Teagarden, but it’s unclear if he’ll ever develop into something more than organizational filler at this point in his career.

Snyder reportedly had an out clause in his contract that prompted his addition to the Major League roster, according to Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun. The veteran had been acquired in late April from the Angels but appeared in just six games before being DFA’d in early June. He’d clear waivers before agreeing on a new minor league deal to remain with the organization. In 200 PA with Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate he hit .243/.305/.387.