ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have officially signed veteran catcher Danny Jansen to a one-year contract worth $8.5 million, a deal reached on Thursday.

Included in the agreement is a mutual option for the year 2026 valued at $12 million, along with a $500,000 buyout clause.

Jansen, who will celebrate his 30th birthday in April, had a challenging season in 2023, recording a batting average of .205 while contributing nine home runs and 24 RBIs. His tenure with the Boston Red Sox began after he was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays on July 27.

Notably, Jansen’s time in the league became unforgettable when he participated in a suspended game, representing both the Blue Jays and the Red Sox—an unprecedented occurrence in Major League Baseball.

He even took to the plate for both teams in the same inning during a rain-delayed match that began in June for the Blue Jays and wrapped up in late August.

Throughout his seven seasons in Major League Baseball, spanning from 2018 to 2024 with Toronto and Boston, Jansen has maintained a career batting average of .220, hitting 74 home runs and achieving 220 RBIs.

In summary, Jansen’s new contract reflects the Rays’ confidence in his abilities, even as he looks to bounce back from a less than stellar last season.