Rangers signed C Yorvit Torrealba to a two-year, $6.25 million contract.

He'll take home $3 million in 2011 and $3.25 million in 2012. It's a relative bargain for the club, considering that the Marlins signed John Buck for three years and $18 million earlier this month. Rangers' catchers combined to hit just .212/.288/.317 with a 605 OPS this past season, so while we don't see him being relevant in shallow mixed leagues anytime soon, it won't take much for Torrealba to be an improvement.

According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers have signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a two-year, $6.25 million contract.

Torrealba gives the Rangers an immediate upgrade behind the plate. The 32-year-old backstop batted .271/.343/.378 with seven homers and 37 RBI over 325 at-bats with the Padres this past season, while throwing out 37 percent (22-for-60) of would-be basestealers. Because Torrealba is a Type B free agent, the Padres will get a sandwich pick in next year's draft.

The Padres offered arbitration to Yorvit Torrealba.

Torrealba is a Type B free agent and would net the Padres a sandwich pick if he signs elsewhere. Torrealba, 32, recently declined his part of a $3.5 mutual option with the club and hopes to land a multi-year deal in free agency. So far, Torrealba said he has heard from the Rockies, Mariners, Rangers and Red Sox. The veteran catcher batted .271/.343/.378 this season with seven homers and 37 RBI in 325 at-bats.

Yorvit Torrealba told Carlos Alberto Gonzalez of Lider en Deportes that he is unlikely to re-sign with the Padres.

"It's not very likely that I'll continue with the Padres, because they want to reduce payroll and they're offering me much less than I had hoped; in fact, they want to give me less than I made this year," said Torrealba. He also expressed his displeasure about the likely departures of Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell. Harsh, but nothing surprising here. Torrealba, 32, recently declined his part of a $3.5 mutual option with the club and hopes to land a multi-year deal in free agency. So far, Torrealba said has heard from the Rockies, Mariners, Rangers and Red Sox.

Yorvit Torrealba has elected to become a free agent.

The veteran catcher informed the Padres earlier this season that he planned to decline his part of a $3.5 million mutual option for 2011. Torrealba followed up on that promise early Tuesday morning and will be seeking a multi-year deal on the open market. The 32-year-old batted .271/.343/.378 this season with seven homers and 37 RBI in 325 at-bats.

Yorvit Torrealba was 2-for-3 with a solo home run in a win over the Giants on Saturday.

Perfect placement. Torrealba's third inning homer landed in the short porch in right field, an impressive and rare feat for a right-handed hitter. Giants fans probably aren't surprised at their luck. Torrealba entered play Saturday with a .312 career batting average and 856 career OPS against San Francisco.

Yorvit Torrealba returned to action on Friday September 3.

Yorvit Torrealba was a late scratch from Tuesday's lineup due to a stiff back.

Nick Hundley will start behind the plate, batting eighth against Ian Kennedy.

Yorvit Torrealba returned to action on Tuesday August 24.

Yorvit Torrealba was feeling better Sunday after leaving Saturday's game following a couple of foul balls that he took off the mask.

"It happens, but the first one bothered me more than usual," Torrealba said. "That first one got me pretty good." Nick Hundley started for the Padres Sunday, but that likely would have happened, anyway, with it being a day game after a night game. Torrealba should be available to start the Padres' next game.

Yorvit Torrealba went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI to lead the Padres to an 8-5 win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

It was the first homer since April 28 for Torrealba, who has lost more playing time to Nick Hundley as the year has gone on. It's not a trend that figures to change. Torrealba, though, has had a fine season, hitting .301 in 156 at-bats.

His suspension over, Yorvit Torrealba is in the Padres' starting lineup for Friday's game.

Dusty Ryan was sent down after Thursday's game. Nick Hundley started all three games while Torrealba was out.

Yorvit Torrealba has dropped the appeal of his three-game suspension and will begin serving it on Tuesday night.

Torrealba was handed the punishment last Monday for bumping into home plate umpire Larry Vanover while arguing a called third strike. Dusty Ryan has been called up to serve as backup catcher for the time being.

Corey Brock of MLB.com "suspects" that Yorvit Torrealba will drop the appeal of his three-game suspension.

Torrealba was suspended three games for bumping home plate umpire Larry Vanover while arguing a called-third strike last Monday against the Blue Jays. Dusty Ryan is expected to join the team on Tuesday.

Yorvit Torrealba was suspending three games for his actions during Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Torrealba made contact with home plate umpire Larry Vanover while arguing a called-third strike. He is expected to appeal.

The Padres are waiting to see if Yorvit Torrealba will be suspended for his actions during Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Torrealba made contact with home plate umpire Larry Vanover while arguing a called third strike in the ninth inning. He was ejected from the game. "Hopefully there won't be a next time. But if there is a next time, I'll remember to take my helmet off," said Torrealba. "I wasn't trying to hit him. I wasn't trying to touch him. I was just trying to make my point."

Padres activated catcher Yorvit Torrealba from the restricted list.

Torrealba missed a few days to attend to a family matter. He'll resume splitting time with Nick Hundley behind the plate.

Padres placed C Yorvit Torrealba on the restricted list.

Torrealba left the team on Sunday in order to attend to a family matter. Dusty Ryan is expected to take his place on the 25-man roster until he is ready to return.

Yorvit Torrealba will be absent for the next three days in order to deal with a family matter.

The Padres are keeping quiet on what exactly he's having to deal with, and rightly so. He will be placed on the restricted list Monday so that the Friars can add catcher Dusty Ryan to their 25-man roster.

Yorvit Torrealba went 2-for-3 and knocked in three runs in the Padres' 9-0 defeat of the Brewers on Thursday.

Two things you don't see every day: a team scoring nine runs without the benefit of an extra-base hit and the Padres having a good offensive game despite Adrian Gonzalez going 0-for-4. Torrealba has six RBI in his last three starts, but he'll continue to play behind Nick Hundley for the most part.