CLEVELAND -- The Indians made a move to help strengthen their catching situation on Wednesday, acquiring Chris Gimenez from the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations.
With some uncertainty surrounding the timetable for catcher Roberto Perez's return from a right thumb injury, Cleveland added Gimenez to serve as the backup option behind starter Yan Gomes. In order to clear a spot on the active and 40-man rosters, catcher Adam Moore was designated for assignment prior to Wednesday's game against the Tigers.
"We've had Chris in the past," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Everyone knows him, and there's a lot of familiarity. ... He played a lot last year [with Texas], and got some pretty good experience in the playoffs."
Perez fractured his right thumb during a play at the plate in the fifth inning of Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies. The catcher was re-evaluated by Dr. Thomas Graham in Cleveland on Thursday, and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday.
• Indians, Perez opt for surgery on right thumb
Gimenez saw his first action with the Indians in Thursday's 9-4 win over the Tigers -- starting behind the plate and batting ninth -- and he homered in his second at-bat.
Moore had his contract purchased from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, when Perez landed on the 15-day disabled list, but he did not appear in a game for Cleveland. The Indians now have 10 days to trade or release Moore, or assign him to a Minor League affiliate if he clears waivers.
"That was a hard conversation with Adam, because he hadn't even played yet," Francona said. "I think he's probably thinking, 'This was my chance,' and we respect that. We understand that. So, he'll go through that process of being designated, seeing if there's Major League interest."
This will be the third stint with the Tribe for the 33-year-old Gimenez, who was selected by Cleveland in the 19th round of the 2004 MLB Draft. In the 2009-10 and '14 seasons with the Indians, Gimenez posted a .152 average in 81 games. In seven Major League seasons, the catcher has hit .218 with a .639 OPS with the Indians, Rays, Mariners and Rangers.
Last season, Gimenez hit .255 with five home runs, 12 extra-base hits, 14 RBIs and an .820 OPS in 36 games (113 plate appearances) for the Rangers. He hit .269 (1.095 OPS) against left-handed pitching in '15 and has hit .270 (.765 OPS) off southpaws over his career. Gimenez began this season on the 15-day DL (left ankle infection) and was designated for assignment by Texas on Tuesday, following a seven-game rehab stint with Double-A Frisco.