Mitch Garver Retires at 35 After 10 MLB Seasons

WHO:

Daily Mail Sports - Mitch Garver, a 35-year-old catcher and designated hitter, retired after 10 MLB seasons; his career included the Twins, Rangers and Mariners.

MLB.com - A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that Garver had retired; Garver had not officially announced the news.

MLB.com - Garver was born in New Mexico, graduated from the University of New Mexico and was selected by the Twins in the ninth round of the 2013 Draft.

MLB.com - Garver won a World Series ring with the Rangers and a Silver Slugger Award with the Twins.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Josh Naylor’s five-year, $92.5 million contract set a new high for a free-agent deal given by Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto ahead of the 2026 season.

Daily Mail Sports - Garver played a leading role in the Rangers’ first World Series championship.

MLB.com - With Texas in 2023, Garver recorded an .870 OPS in 87 regular-season games, then hit three home runs and drove in 14 runs during the postseason.

MLB.com - Garver won the Silver Slugger in 2019 after hitting a career-high 31 home runs in 93 games with a .995 OPS.

MLB.com - The 2019 Twins hit 307 regular-season home runs, a Major League single-season record later tied by the 2023 Braves.

MLB.com - Garver’s career batting line was .229/.325/.432, with 110 home runs and 10.1 bWAR.

MLB.com - Garver debuted with Minnesota in 2017 and spent five years with the Twins before signing with Texas.

MLB.com - Garver signed a two-year, $24 million contract with Seattle after his World Series performance. It was then the largest free-agent contract given by Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.

MLB.com - Garver returned to Seattle as a backup catcher, with Cal Raleigh helping facilitate his return. He won the backup role in Spring Training, played 50 games and was released.

MLB.com - Garver later agreed to a Minor League deal with the Yankees but did not return to the Major Leagues.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Garver played for the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and, on a Minor League contract, the New York Yankees.

WHY:

MLB.com - Garver’s retirement followed 10 seasons in Major League Baseball; the article does not give a reason for his decision.

HOW:

MLB.com - Garver’s professional career began when the Twins selected him in the ninth round of the 2013 Draft; he made his MLB debut with Minnesota in 2017.

Mitch Garver has retired after 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, though he had not officially announced the decision. The 35-year-old catcher and designated hitter played for the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners, and later signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees without returning to the majors. Selected by Minnesota in the ninth round of the 2013 Draft, Garver made his MLB debut in 2017. His strongest season came in 2019, when he hit 31 home runs, posted a .995 OPS and won the Silver Slugger Award. With Texas in 2023, he helped the Rangers win their first World Series, recording three home runs and 14 runs batted in during the postseason. Garver finished his career with 110 home runs and a .229 batting average.