BREAKING: San Diego Padres confirms another top player departs to sign with Rangers

After a standout season in San Diego, free-agent catcher has signed a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers, which includes a mutual option for 2027, according to MLB.com.

Higashioka, 35, played a pivotal role for the Padres in 2024, delivering a career-best performance at the plate. He hit 17 home runs and posted a .476 slugging percentage during the regular season.

The veteran catcher also came up big in the postseason, hitting crucial home runs in both Wild Card games against the Braves and adding another in the Division Series against the Dodgers.

His departure marks the end of a one-year tenure with the Padres, during which he filled a critical need at catcher. Now, Higashioka will bring his experience and clutch hitting to the Rangers for the next two seasons.