Rangers sign ex-Brave Charlie Culberson to minor-league deal

Charlie Culberson will try to earn a spot in the American League.  Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Charlie Culberson will try to earn a spot in the American League. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com

Former Braves utilityman Charlie Culberson signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers, the team announced Monday. It includes an invitation to spring training.

Culberson, 31, spent the last three seasons with his hometown Braves. The Rome native was acquired from the Dodgers in the Matt Kemp trade of 2017.

Culberson, who was immensely popular with fans and teammates, hit .265/.314/.454 with 17 homers and 66 RBIs over his Braves tenure. He provided several clutch moments, especially in the 2018 season, when he was an important contributor for a team that unexpectedly won 90 games and the first of three consecutive division titles.

The Braves designated Culberson for assignment during the 60-game season, but he stayed in the organization. He appeared in only nine games in 2020. He’ll compete for a bench role with the rebuilding Rangers next spring.