GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Single-A Carolina League is expanding by two teams in 2017 while two teams in the California League will be contracted.
Minor League Baseball president Pat O'Conner said Monday that the Bakersfield Blaze and the High Desert Mavericks will cease operations after the season, with Kinston, North Carolina, and another undetermined city receiving Carolina League teams.
The Texas Rangers, whose advanced Class A farm team has been at High Desert for two years, will own the team that plays in Kinston next year. Bakersfield also has been a Seattle Mariners affiliate since 2015.
The parent club, ownership and location of the other Carolina League team was not announced.