SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers head trainer Kevin Harmon announced Thursday that he is retiring to pursue other interests. The Rangers announced that his assistant Matt Lucero is being promoted to replace him.
Harmon spent 16 seasons with the Rangers, including 14 on the Major League staff. He became the head trainer in 2014, after Jamie Reed was promoted to senior director of medical operations.
"I have decided that this is the right time for me to retire from professional baseball to pursue other interests, both on a personal and family level," Harmon said. "I feel very blessed to have worked for so many years with the Rangers and to have been a part of so many great memories. I want to thank the players, coaches and front-office staff for all of their support and friendship."

Harmon joined the Rangers as their Minor League medical and strength coordinator prior to the 2003 season. He previously worked in the Atlanta, Baltimore and Tampa Bay organizations and has been in professional baseball since 1986.
"The Rangers organization owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Kevin Harmon," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Kevin's dedication and willingness to go the extra mile have played a major role in keeping our players on the field for many years. On behalf of everyone on the Rangers, I wish him, Melony and their family the very best for the years ahead."
Lucero has spent the last eight seasons with the Rangers as a trainer at the Major League level. He originally joined the organization in 2006 as the Minor League rehabilitation coordinator and served as the Minor League medical coordinator from 2007-10. Lucero was a Minor League trainer in the Tampa Bay Rays organization from 1999-2005 and has been an athletic trainer since 1993.
"We are fortunate to have Matt Lucero assume the role as head athletic trainer," Daniels said. "Matt has a long history with the Texas organization and worked under two exceptional trainers on the big league level in Jamie Reed and Kevin Harmon."
Lucero becomes just the fifth head trainer in the Rangers' 47 years in Texas, joining Bill Zeigler (1972-91), Danny Wheat (1992-2002), Reed (2003-13), and Harmon (2014-18).