ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers played a video tribute for Jonah Heim on the Globe Life Field board this week, the catcher’s first trip back to Arlington since the club non-tendered him in November. Heim’s wife, Kenzie Heim, posted a reaction on social media.
Kenzie Heim wrote that changing uniforms had not changed what her husband means to the Rangers organization or its fans. Her final words were “2023 FOREVER.”
Heim homered in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. The solo shot in the fourth inning pushed the Athletics ahead 6-2, one batter after Henry Bolte hit his second home run of the game for the first multihomer game of his career. The Athletics scored nine unanswered runs after falling behind 2-0 and won 9-2. Texas fell to 69-71.
Texas won 8-1 on Monday and 8-5 on Tuesday before dropping the finale. Heim had a double in a 1-for-3 opener, then went 2-for-5 on Tuesday.
Heim made his major league debut at Globe Life Field on Aug. 25, 2020, against the Rangers, in his only season with the Athletics before this year. Baltimore drafted him in the fourth round in 2013 out of Amherst Central High School in Amherst, New York.
Jonah Heim’s Non-Tender And Free Agency
The Rangers did not tender Heim a 2026 contract ahead of the 4 p.m. CT deadline on Nov. 21, and he became a free agent that night. Texas also non-tendered outfielder Adolis García and right-handers Josh Sborz and Jacob Webb. Heim earned $4.57 million in 2025 and was in his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young issued a statement with the announcement. Young said García, Heim, and Sborz would “always be remembered for their contributions to the first World Series title” in franchise history. He also thanked all four players for their time with Texas.
Atlanta gave Heim a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Feb. 10 while Sean Murphy worked his way back from right hip surgery. Heim played 12 games for the Atlanta Braves, batting .231/.311/.410 with one home run and 8 RBI. Murphy returned from the injured list May 4. Atlanta designated Heim for assignment that day and sent him to the Athletics for cash later that night.
Jonah Heim’s Rangers Tenure
Heim arrived in Texas in February 2021 as part of the trade that sent Elvis Andrus and Aramis Garcia to Oakland. Over five seasons with the Rangers, he hit .226/.282/.374 with 68 home runs and 277 RBI in 595 games. Heim wore No. 28 with Texas. He wears No. 15 for the Athletics.
His career year came in 2023, when he made his only All-Star team and won his only Gold Glove. Heim hit .258/.317/.438 with 18 home runs and 95 RBI over 131 games. He also started for the American League at catcher in the All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park. Heim started all 17 games during the Rangers’ postseason run, batting .212/.268/.348 with 3 home runs and 8 RBI.
Entering Wednesday, Heim had batted .215/.275/.389 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 88 games between Atlanta and the Athletics. He has appeared in 45 games behind the plate for the Athletics, 18 at designated hitter, 6 at first base, and one at third base. He is eligible for free agency after the season.
The Tampa Bay Rays open a four-game series at Globe Life Field on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. CT. Friday’s game also starts at 7:05 p.m. CT, followed by a 6:05 p.m. CT start Saturday. The series finale Sunday is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. CT.
