Major League Baseball

Texas Rangers: What To Expect From Robinson Chirinos In 2017

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:27 p.m. ET

Fansided, Alex Al-Kazzaz/FanSided via Nolan Writin'

Robinson Chirinos is headed into this season as the team’s backup catcher. He will be backing up Jonathan Lucroy. Last month, the Texas Rangers brought him back. Bringing him back indicates that the team still embraces him and they want him in Arlington.

Chirinos, 32, appeared in 57 games last season, finishing with 33 hits, 20 RBIs, and nine homers. He began last season as the team’s starting catcher before suffering a fractured forearm, which caused him to miss two months. When the Texas Rangers acquired Jonathan Lucroy in the middle of the season, Chirinos became the backup catcher.

With Lucroy being the starting catcher for next season, many fans are wondering about Chirinos’ role with the team. Will he see playing time? How often will he step on the field? Do the Rangers really need him?

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Chirinos does have an important role on this team. He’s not the starter but he’s an important asset to the club. There’s a reason Texas re-signed him. Lucroy won’t be starting all 162 games. Rangers Manager Jeff Banister will give Lucroy some nights off to give Chirinos some playing time. In any case, Chirinos needs to be ready.

I expect Chirinos’ season to go well. It’s very important that he stays healthy. As said before, Lucroy won’t be playing all 162 games. When Chirinos is appointed to start, he needs to give it his all.

Spring Training begins this month. Chirinos may miss a significant portion of training due to possibly playing in this year’s World Baseball Classic. If he does, he’ll be representing his home country of Venezuela. Several other Rangers are participating in the WBC. Several others have declined to go.

In any case, Chirinos needs to be ready when Opening Day arrives.