Los Angeles Angels News

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Wade Meckler • OF • Angels

Angels Claim Wade Meckler Off Waivers

The Los Angeles Angels claimed outfielder Wade Meckler off waivers on Tuesday afternoon from the San Francisco Giants. Meckler made his MLB debut last summer with the Giants. During his brief 20-game stint in the big leagues, Meckler held a .232/.328/.250 line with just one double, no home runs, and a 25:6 K:BB. Under the hood, the former eighth-round pick generated a .265 xwOBA with a low 22.6% hard-hit rate. However, at the Triple-A level, Meckler posted a .287/.390/.370 line with 21 doubles, one home run, with 11 stolen bases across an 87-game stint. Given his production at the Triple-A level, Meckler could be in line to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster in Los Angeles.

Yesterday

Tayler Saucedo • RP • Angels

Angels Sign Tayler Saucedo to Minor-League Deal

The Los Angeles Angels signed left-handed relief pitcher Tayler Saucedo to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. The 32-year-old was let go by the Seattle Mariners after struggling with the team last season. The southpaw registered a 7.43 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and a 12/6 K/BB ratio across 10 appearances with Seattle in 2025. Before that, Saucedo had two strong seasons as a middle reliever in Seattle. At best, Saucedo will earn himself a middle-relief role with the Halos. He's unlikely to see any save chances, which means Saucedo won't offer any real fantasy value.

4 days ago

Kirby Yates • RP • Angels

Kirby Yates Inks One-Year Deal With Angels

Free-agent right-handed reliever Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, a source told Ari Alexander. Yates will stay in L.A. after spending the 2025 campaign with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, where he went 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA (4.76 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, three saves, 52 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 41 1/3 innings out of the bullpen during the regular season. It was a disappointing year for the 38-year-old veteran after he recorded a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 33 saves the year prior with the Texas Rangers. Yates is no spring chicken, but he could bounce back to better results in 2026 and will be in the mix for more saves next season in an Angels bullpen that lost Kenley Jansen in free agency. Yates' primary competition for saves next season will come from the oft-injured Robert Stephenson and veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz.

Dec 30

Drew Pomeranz • RP • Angels

Drew Pomeranz Agrees to One-Year Deal With Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with left-handed reliever Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign with the Chicago Cubs, posting a 2.17 ERA, 28.1% strikeout rate, and 1.07 WHIP across 57 appearances. The 37-year-old veteran also recorded 14 holds and surrendered the lead just twice all season. For 2026, Pomeranz is expected to serve as a high-leverage lefty and offers limited fantasy value outside of leagues that count holds.

Dec 17

Jordan Romano • RP • Angels

Jordan Romano, Angels Agree on One-Year Deal

Right-handed reliever Jordan Romano has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. Romano, 32, struggled in 2025 with the Philadelphia Phillies, posting an 8.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 25.1% strikeout rate, and 9.1% walk rate across 42 2/3 innings. He landed on the injured list in late August with inflammation in his right middle finger, an issue that reportedly affected his velocity throughout the season. The two-time All-Star now looks to revive his career in Southern California. With the Angels losing Kenley Jansen to free agency and no clear closer in their bullpen, Romano could quickly move up the depth chart and see save opportunities. For fantasy purposes, Romano is a high-risk, high-reward option, and as of now, it appears he will be the closer in Los Angeles.

Dec 17

Mike Trout • RF • Angels

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026

The Los Angeles Angels may allow outfielder Mike Trout to play center field again in 2026. General manager Perry Minasian said he's keeping his options open, which includes Trout seeing time at all three outfield positions. Trout, 34, appeared in 130 games last season, his highest total since 2019. He served as the designated hitter in 106 games and played right field in just 22, reinforcing the idea that keeping him out of center field is likely the best path to preserving his health. In 2025, Trout slashed .232/.359/.439 with 26 home runs, 64 RBI, and 74 runs scored, good for a 120 wRC+. With a current ADP of 194, the future Hall of Fame slugger offers power upside without requiring a significant draft-day investment.

Dec 17

Vaughn Grissom • 2B • Angels

Angels Acquire Vaughn Grissom From Boston

The Los Angeles Angels are acquiring infielder Vaughn Grissom from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Isaiah Jackson, sources told Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. The Red Sox acquired Grissom in the trade that sent left-hander Chris Sale to the Braves. The 24-year-old middle infielder was expected to eventually become Boston's primary second baseman, but that never happened. Grissom spent all of the 2025 campaign toiling at Triple-A Worcester after hitting .190/.246/.219 with no home runs in 31 games at the big-league level in 2024. He is out of minor-league options at this point. The former 11th-round pick by Atlanta in 2019 will have a chance to carve out a spot at either second or third base in Anaheim in spring training. Grissom has dabbled in left field, but most of his experience comes at the keystone.

Dec 9

Ben Gamel • RF • Angels

Braves Agree to Minor-League Deal With Ben Gamel

The Atlanta Braves agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel on Friday, sources told Aram Leighton. Gamel, 33, battled more injuries in 2025 and only played in 49 games with the Triple-A affiliates for the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers. He owns a .716 OPS in parts of nine major-league seasons with eight different teams. In 723 career games played, Gamel has a .252/.334/.382 slash line with 41 home runs, 204 RBI, 283 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. In his 49 minor-league games this past year, Gamel had a strong .914 OPS with eight home runs. He is going to need to stay healthy in 2026 to have a shot at winning a reserve outfield role in Atlanta. Gamel will most likely begin next season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Dec 6

Alek Manoah • SP • Angels

Angels Take a Chance on Alek Manoah, Sign him to One-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $1.95 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 27-year-old became a free agent after he was non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves following the 2025 season. He will now head back to the American League on a fully guaranteed big-league deal. Manoah worked his way back from right-elbow surgery that he had in June of 2024 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues. In 33 1/3 innings (seven starts) at Triple-A Buffalo, Manoah had a decent 2.97 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks. The former 11th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of West Virginia finished third in the AL Cy Young voting in 2022 after going 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 180:51 K:BB in 31 starts. Injuries and mechanical issues caused Manoah to fall off a cliff since then, but the Halos are hoping this low-risk investment will pan out and he'll contribute to a rotation that was a huge liability in 2025.

Dec 2

Anthony Rendon • 3B • Angels

Angels Could Buy Out Final Year of Anthony Rendon's Contract

The Los Angeles Angels and third baseman Anthony Rendon are in talks about buying out the final year of his contract, which could bring a resolution to the failed seven-year, $245 million deal, a source told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Rendon missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from hip surgery. If/when the Angels buy out the final year of his deal, Rendon is expected to retire. The 35-year-old veteran is owed $38 million next year. Gonzalez reports that the expectation is that Rendon will defer at least part of that money in 2026, giving the Angels more financial flexibility this offseason. At the time they signed him, the Angels made Rendon the highest-paid third baseman in December of 2019 after he had just won a World Series with the Nationals. The former first-rounder became one of the league's best third basemen in his time with the Nats, but he was a massive bust for the Angels, playing in just a quarter of the team's games over the life of his deal.

Nov 26

Grayson Rodriguez • SP • Angels

Grayson Rodriguez Shipped to Angels

The Los Angeles Angels acquired right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) on Tuesday from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for power-hitting outfielder Taylor Ward, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season due to a right-elbow injury, but he is a former top prospect with plenty of long-term upside, and the Angels are desperately hoping he can become a top-of-the-rotation starter they've been seeking for years. The 26-year-old former 11th overall pick in 2018 is under club control for four more years and is expected to be ready for spring training. In his first two big-league seasons with the O's in 2023 and 2024, Rodriguez went 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 259:78 K:BB in 43 starts. Rodriguez's strikeout upside is obvious, but he also missed the end of the 2024 season with a lat injury, leaving plenty of questions about his durability. He'll be a risk/reward fantasy selection in 2026 drafts.

Nov 19

Reid Detmers • RP • Angels

Reid Detmers to Serve as a Starter Next Year

Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian said over the weekend that left-hander Reid Detmers (elbow) will move back into the team's starting rotation next season, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Detmers ended the 2025 campaign on the 60-day injured list due to a left-elbow injury, but he's expected to be recovered by the start of next year and will be stretched out as a starter after spending all of 2024 in a relief role. The 26-year-old southpaw bounced back nicely in 61 relief appearances (63 2/3 innings), posting a 3.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 80 strikeouts, 25 walks, and his first three career saves. It was good to see after Detmers had a bloated 6.70 ERA in 17 starts for the Halos in 2024. The former first-rounder has had trouble with the long ball and has been very inconsistent in Anaheim, but his strikeout upside will make him a starting pitcher sleeper in fantasy drafts next spring.

Oct 7

Jorge Soler • RF • Angels

Jorge Soler Won't Return This Season

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (back) will not return from the 60-day injured list for the team's season-ending series against the Houston Astros this weekend. Soler has been out since July 24 with inflammation in his lower back. Although the 33-year-old ramped up baseball activities earlier this month, time has run out on a potential 2025 comeback. Soler has been on the injured list twice this year with back problems, limiting him to 82 games. The former All-Star took 315 trips to the plate this season and batted an underwhelming .215/.293/.387 with 12 HRs and 34 RBI. He's in line to return to the Angels in 2026 in the last season of a three-year, $42 million contract. Soler signed that deal with the San Francisco Giants heading into 2024, but he has changed hands twice since then. The Atlanta Braves traded Soler to the Angels last October. The first season of the Soler-Angels union didn't go according to plan for him or the team.

Sep 26

Taylor Ward • LF • Angels

Taylor Ward Absent from Thursday's Lineup

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals. This appears to be a routine rest day for Ward who has started in every game since September 2. He has been hot at the plate recently, so resting him now seems like a bit of an odd decision. Ward currently has a seven-game hitting streak where he has 10 hits and five home runs during that span. He's worth rostering in most fantasy formats down the stretch of the season. Chris Taylor will take over left field and bat fifth on Thursday.

Sep 25

Mike Trout • RF • Angels

Mike Trout Sitting on Wednesday

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/outfielder Mike Trout is getting the night off versus the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Yoan Moncada will DH and hit third against right-hander Stephen Kolek, while Luis Rengifo will take over at the hot corner and bat fifth. Trout slugged the 400th home run of his illustrious career last Saturday, but the 34-year-old has otherwise struggled since the All-Star break. He has gone deep just five times and posted a pedestrian .686 OPS in 56 games during the second half. Thanks to a more productive first few months of the season, Trout has hit 227/.356/.412 with 22 homers, 59 RBI, 68 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 543 trips to the plate.

Sep 25

Sam Aldegheri • SP • Angels

Sam Aldegheri to Start for Angels on Tuesday

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Sam Aldegheri will start on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. It'll be the first start this season for Aldegheri, who last pitched for the Angels on July 8. The 24-year-old has made two appearances in the majors in 2025 and yielded five earned runs on seven hits and five walks (four strikeouts) in 4 1/3 innings. Aledgheri has been far more successful at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he has recorded a 3.78 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP, 113 strikeouts, and 60 walks across 24 starts and 133 1/3 frames. He'll face a Kansas City offense that has managed a lackluster .232/.300/.349 line versus southpaws this year.

Sep 22

Mike Trout • RF • Angels

Mike Trout Hits 400th Career Home Run

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout accomplished a huge milestone during Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Trout put his name in the history books when he blasted a 485-foot home run in the eighth inning. He became the 59th player in history to reach 400-homers and 200-plus stolen bases by his age 33-season. He joins the elite company of Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Alex Rodriguez. Trout is certainly a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but it would be nice to see some postseason success before his career is over. This season, Trout is slashing .229/.358/.414 with 22 home runs, 59 RBI, and two steals.

Sep 21

Robert Stephenson • RP • Angels

Robert Stephenson Done for the Season

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday. Stephenson has already been sidelined with multiple injuries this season, but this one will end his 2025 campaign. He'll finish the season with a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 10/3 K/BB ratio across 12 appearances. The right-hander was brought in to be a high-leverage option, but sadly Stephenson wasn't able to stay healthy. In a corresponding move, Sam Bachman has been recalled to take over the spot in the bullpen.

Sep 20

Kenley Jansen • RP • Angels

Kenley Jansen Won't Pitch This Weekend

Los Angeles Angels closer Kenley Jansen did not travel to Colorado for the team's weekend series against the Rockies. The high altitude in Colorado can cause complications with Jansen's heart condition, so he stayed behind and will not be available to pitch again until the Angels return home on Sept. 23. This has been yet another strong season for the 37-year-old, who has been superb lately. Jansen has gone eight appearances in a row without giving up a hit or a run, which has lowered his ERA to 2.68 with a .98 WHIP, 52:19 K:BB, and 27 saves over 57 innings. With Jansen out, Brock Burke, Luis Garcia, and Robert Stephenson are among the Angels' candidates for saves over the next couple of days.

Sep 20

Nolan Schanuel • 1B • Angels

Nolan Schanuel Activated and Starting on Friday

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (wrist) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, and he is back in the starting lineup, playing first base and batting leadoff against Colorado Rockies right-hander Bradley Blalock at Coors Field. It will be Schanuel's first action in the big leagues in over three weeks due to a left-wrist bruise. During his minor-league rehab assignment, the left-handed hitter went 4-for-8 with a double and three runs scored. The 23-year-old former first-rounder will look to finish off his second full season in the big leagues strong. Schanuel typically isn't a great source of counting stats at the first base position, but he'll have more DFS sleeper appeal this weekend at hitter-friendly Coors Field. He is returning to a very modest .266/.355/.383 slash line, .738 OPS, 10 home runs, 49 RBI, 61 runs, and five steals on the year in 125 games.

Sep 19

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