Mitch Garver retires after 10 MLB seasons, capping a career that included a World Series ring

The catcher and designated hitter, who appeared in Major League games for the Twins, Rangers and Mariners, told MLB.com he is ending his playing days at age 35.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Mitch Garver has retired after 10 seasons in Major League Baseball, ending a career that included both individual recognition and a championship run. Garver, 35, told ’s Daniel Kramer that he was calling it a career on Thursday.

Garver’s postseason impact is tied closely to the Rangers’ first World Series title in 2023. reports that, during the postseason, he hit three home runs and drove in 14 runs as Texas won the championship, adding to the context of an.870 OPS in 87 regular-season games.

Individually, Garver earned a Silver Slugger Award in 2019, when he played a central role in the Minnesota Twins’ historically powerful attack. notes that he hit 31 home runs in 93 games with a.995 OPS, as the Twins recorded 307 regular-season home runs, a single-season franchise mark that stood as a Major League record before being matched by the 2023 Braves.

Garver entered the majors after being drafted in the ninth round by the Twins in 2013 and making his MLB debut in 2017. reports he spent five seasons with Minnesota before signing with the Rangers in 2022.

In 2023, following the championship season, Garver signed a two-year contract with the Mariners worth $24 million, described by as the richest free-agent deal handed out by Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto at the time. also reports that his offensive production cooled in Seattle, but he worked as an important clubhouse presence as the backup catcher, including returning to the Mariners this season through Cal Raleigh’s established connection.

Over his career, Garver finished with a.229/.325/.432 slash line, 110 home runs and 10.1 bWAR, according to. adds that after losing the backup-catcher role during the Mariners’ spring, he ultimately agreed to a Minor League contract with the Yankees but did not return to the Major Leagues.

Why It Matters

Garver’s retirement closes the chapter on a role that combined power with flexibility, since he played both catcher and designated hitter over parts of a decade.
His 2023 Rangers run remains a defining part of his legacy, with tying his postseason production to the team’s first World Series championship.
For the Mariners, the end of Garver’s career also reflects how quickly backup-catching roles can shift, even when a veteran is valued for depth and clubhouse leadership.

Sources

Key Facts

Mitch Garver retired after 10 Major League seasons at age 35, telling he was ending his playing career on Thursday.
Garver helped drive the Rangers’ 2023 postseason with three home runs and 14 RBIs, and he produced an.870 OPS in 87 regular-season games that year.
He won a Silver Slugger Award in 2019 with the Twins, posting a career-high 31 home runs and a.995 OPS.
reports Garver’s career batting line was.229/.325/.432 with 110 home runs and 10.1 bWAR.
A ninth-round pick by the Twins in 2013, Garver debuted with Minnesota in 2017 and later signed with the Rangers in 2022.
Following the 2023 World Series, reports Garver signed with the Mariners on a two-year, $24 million contract.