Chris Gimenez
Age: 41
Christopher Paul Gimenez (/ˈdʒɪmᵻnɛz/ JIM-ə-nez; born December 27, 1982) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers. Gimenez has played every position except for center field and shortstop throughout his career.
Career
Gimenez graduated from Gilroy High School, in Gilroy, California in 2001, and was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 34th round (1024th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.
Gimenez attended the University of Nevada, and was chosen by the Cleveland Indians in the 19th round (557th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft. He signed and joined the Indians minor league system, playing with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Lake County Captains, Kinston Indians, Akron Aeros, Buffalo Bisons, and Columbus Clippers.
He was a non-roster invitee to spring training for the 2008 and 2009 Indians and made his MLB debut on June 3, 2009. On February 24, 2010, Gimenez was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus to make room on the 40-man roster for Russell Branyan. He remained in camp with the Indians for the duration of spring training as a non-roster invitee.
On July 10, 2010, Gimenez's contract was purchased by the Indians and he was added to the active roster, replacing Mike Redmond, who was designated for assignment. Gimenez was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on October 29, 2010, removing him from the 40-man roster. He filed for free agency on November 6, 2010.
On December 14, 2010, Gimenez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.
On December 12, 2011, the Mariners announced that Gimenez had been non-tendered along with pitcher Dan Cortes. Two days later, on December 14, the club announced that they had re-signed Gimenez to a contract. He was designated for assignment on February 6, 2012 and soon after, he declared for free agency.
The Tampa Bay Rays signed him to a minor league contract on February 16. He also received an invitation to spring training.
On December 20, 2013, Gimenez was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics. He was then claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers on March 28, 2014. He made the Rangers opening day roster on March 31, but was designated for assignment the next day. He elected to become a free agent on April 5. He re-signed a minor league contract on April 9, and was assigned to the Triple-A Round Rock Express. His contract was selected from Round Rock on May 20 when J. P. Arencibia was optioned to Round Rock.
Gimenez made the first pitching appearance of his Major League career on July 10, 2014, in the ninth inning of a blowout loss for the Rangers against the Los Angeles Angels. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning, including a swinging strikeout of C. J. Cron. He was designated for assignment on August 7.
Gimenez was acquired by the Cleveland Indians on August 23, 2014.
Gimenez signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on November 20, 2014.
On July 31, 2015, Gimenez was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock Express after Tomas Telis was traded to the Miami Marlins.
Gimenez was traded back to the Cleveland Indians on May 4, 2016 in exchange for cash considerations.