The Angels are now going to have two third basemen coming off injury-marred seasons.
The Angels on Thursday agreed with Yoán Moncada on a one-year, $5 million deal, according to multiple reports. The team has not confirmed the signing.
Moncada joins Anthony Rendon on the Angels’ third base depth chart. Rendon has missed most of the last four seasons with a litany of injuries.
Moncada, 29, played only 12 games last season, missing almost the entire season with a left adductor strain. He was hurt on April 9 and did not return until September.
The Chicago White Sox declined his $25 million option, instead giving him a $5 million buyout.
Injuries followed Moncada even as he tried to play in the offseason. Moncada also hurt his hand while playing for Cuba in an international tournament in November, and then he fouled a ball off his foot in December, ending his time in the Puerto Rican winter league.
Moncada has played 526 games at third and 203 games at second in his major-league career, so he could fill either of the two weak spots in the Angels’ infield.
When he’s been healthy, Moncada has been a capable major league hitter. In 2019, he hit 25 home runs with a .915 OPS. He played 144 games in 2021, but he has played only 208 games over the previous three years.
A switch-hitter, Moncada has a career .756 OPS.
The Angels’ infield, other than first baseman Nolan Schanuel, is a jumble of players coming off injuries. Besides Rendon, shortstop Zach Neto and utility infielder Luis Rengifo also had surgery last year.
Earlier this winter, the Angels added utility infielders Kevin Newman and Scott Kingery. They also signed former batting champ Tim Anderson to a minor-league deal.