Los Angeles Angels infielder Yoan Moncada (thumb) is making his season debut for the Angels at third base and is batting fifth on Saturday against his former team, the Chicago White Sox, and right-hander Jonathan Cannon at Rate Field. The Cuban switch-hitter has never faced Cannon in his MLB career. The 29-year-old was held out of the team's Opening Day loss on Thursday in Chicago due to a minor thumb injury that was bothering him at the end of spring training, but after an off day on Thursday, Moncada is feeling good enough to give it a go. He should see most of the starts at third base for the Halos moving forward, but Moncada is mostly just a fantasy option in AL-only leagues and isn't guaranteed consistent playing time if he scuffles early on. Moncada did hit 25 home runs back in 2019, but he's struggled to stay healthy and hasn't played over 100 games in a season since 2022.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) is on the team's Opening Day roster but is not in the starting lineup on Thursday versus the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Sean Burke at Rate Field. Instead, Luis Rengifo will start at third base and bat sixth for the Halos. Moncada dealt with a right-thumb injury at the end of training camp and isn't quite ready to make his regular-season debut with the Angels, but he could be back in the lineup on Saturday in Chicago after a scheduled day off on Friday. When the former White Sox third baseman is healthy, he should see regular playing time at the hot corner, with Rengifo shifting over to second base. The 29-year-old Cuban hit just .190 (4-for-21) with a double, home run and two RBI in 10 spring training games, though, after playing in just 12 games in 2024 in Chicago due to injury.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) will be with the team on Opening Day on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox after recovering from a right-thumb injury, sources tell MLB.com's Francys Romero. Despite the fact that Moncada hasn't played in a game in two weeks due to his thumb injury, the 29-year-old Cuban is expected to be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday versus White Sox right-hander Sean Burke. After yet another injury to Anthony Rendon (hip), Moncada will open the 2025 season as the Halos' primary third baseman, giving him some fantasy appeal in AL-only leagues. Moncada had 25 home runs and 79 RBI back in 2019 with the White Sox, but he hasn't had more than 14 home runs in a season since then and only played in 12 games in 2024 in his final season in Chicago.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) was able to resume throwing the baseball on Monday. This is a positive step forward for Moncada who has been dealing with right thumb soreness for the last few weeks. When healthy, Moncada is expected to be the everyday option at third base in Los Angeles. However, the Angels are uncertain if Moncada will be ready in time for Thursday's season opener. Moncada has struggled to stay healthy over the last few seasons, but could have some deep league value, assuming he plays everyday.
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) could begin the regular season on the injured list. Moncada was scratched ahead of Friday's game due to a sore thumb. At first glance, the Angels thought it was a day-to-day issue, but it appears to be more serious than that. The Angels haven't given a timetable for Moncada, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him sidelined to begin the season. The injury to Moncada probably means Tim Anderson gets more time at second base with Luis Rengifo likely sliding over to third base.
Yoan Moncada Scratched On Friday With Thumb Soreness
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the division-rival Athletics due to thumb soreness, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Meanwhile, Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is returning to the spring lineup on Friday for the first time this month due to hamstring tightness he's been dealing with. It's unclear how serious Moncada's thumb issue is or if it will cause him to miss additional time. With Anthony Rendon (hip) out for the foreseeable future, Moncada has an opportunity to see regular playing time at the hot corner in Anaheim to start the season, although Rengifo is also an option there. The 29-year-old Cuban infielder hit 25 homers for the White Sox in 2019 but hasn't come close to replicating his numbers that season and played in only 12 games due to injury in 2024. He'll have to prove himself before becoming worth a roster spot in mixed fantasy leagues.
Yoan Moncada Has A Chance To Start At Third For Angels
MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger projects Los Angeles Angels infielder Yoan Moncada as the team's starting third baseman on Opening Day. The Angels signed him to a one-year deal just before spring training, and he will be part of a battle for playing time at third base with Anthony Rendon, Cole Fontenelle, Carter Kieboom and J.D. Davis. Rendon has had trouble staying healthy in recent seasons, which makes him starting at the hot corner in 2025 far from a guarantee. The 29-year-old Moncada has had injury issues of his own the last two years, though, and has played in 104 games combined in 2023 and 2024. He averaged 69 games in a three-year span with Chicago, so he's also far from a guarantee at third for the Halos. Moncada is younger than Rendon, though, and has had an above-average .733 OPS with 11 homers and 40 RBI the last two years with the White Sox when healthy.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Yoan Moncada is expected to start at the hot corner for the Los Angeles Angels. The veteran third baseman signed a one-year deal with the Angels earlier this week and is expected to open camp as the team's starting third baseman. Anthony Rendon has been viewed as the starting third baseman in Los Angeles but has struggled to remain healthy. Moncada has also battled injuries over the past two seasons but has performed well when on the field. Last season, across 12 contests, the switch-hitter held a .275/.356/.400 slash line. During the 2023 season, Moncada held a similar .260/.305/.425 line across 92 games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Moncada's status during spring training as he could be a viable corner infielder in deeper formats, given his solid batting average upside.
Blue Jays, Cubs, Mariners Interested In Yoan Moncada
According to Francys Romero, the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Seattle Mariners have continued to show interest in free agent third baseman Yoan Moncada. Romero noted that the third base market continues to wait as Alex Bregman's new contract will likely reset the market. The 29-year-old played in only 12 games last season due to an adductor strain. Moncada has been prone to injuries over the past few seasons and has only logged at least 140 games in a single season once since 2021. In his small stint last season, Moncada held a .275/.356/.400 line. In 2021 (his last full season), the infielder posted a .265/.375/.412 line with a stellar 13.6% walk rate and .353 xwOBA. If Moncada were to ink a contract with one of these clubs, he would likely be given an opportunity to earn a starting role during Spring Training. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should monitor his status during Spring Training as he carries solid upside in OBP leagues given his high walk rate.
Free-agent infielder Yoan Moncada is reportedly drawing interest from around the league. The former top prospect is a free agent after the Chicago White Sox declined his $25 million option for next season. The oft-injured infielder has been decent with the bat, but Moncada has struggled to stay on the field. Last season, Moncada only managed to play in 12 games with the White Sox. Despite that, Moncada is reportedly drawing interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Seattle Mariners. The 29-year-old is able to play both second and third base, which is always nice to have. He'll likely need to take a short prove-it type of deal after struggling to stay on the field over the last few seasons.
Yoán Moncada
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Angels
