TEMPE, Ariz. — It remains to be seen whether Miguel Sanó has any good baseball left in him, but he made a good impression the moment he walked in the door at Angels spring training.
Sanó, who was delayed by visa issues in the Dominican Republic and arrived Sunday, said he lost 58 pounds in the last year.
“He looks real good,” manager Ron Washington said. “And he’s in a great fame of mind.”
Washington, however, conceded that on the field Sanó is “a little rough right now,” and then he joked that “we’re just going to have to beat him into shape.”
Sanó, 30, has hit at least 25 homers in four big league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, including 30 in 2021. In 2022, he hit .083 and was released. He then dealt with left knee issues, which was one of the reasons that he decided he needed to get into better shape.
“It was very important to me,” Sanó said through an interpreter. “I feel better and lighter, and that will help me have better performance on the field.”
The Angels signed Sanó to a minor league deal based on how he looked in winter ball, and he’d been working out at the team’s complex in the Dominican Republic until he was able to get to Arizona.
There is a pathway for him to make the big league roster. A right-handed hitter, Sanó could play third and first and he can also be the DH. If no one is hurt, the Angels have one infield spot up for grabs. An injury would obviously open another spot.
“To be a good team you need stories,” general manager Perry Minasian said. “You need some guys to emerge that aren’t talked about a ton. Or younger players that develop at a certain time. (Sanó) is someone we really liked going into the offseason as long as he proved he’s healthy. He played in winter ball and played well, so we thought we should take a shot at him.”
MEJIA RELEASED
The Angels released veteran catcher Francisco Mejia, which was a surprising move after just one Cactus League game.
Minasian said that Mejia’s goal was to make the big league team out of camp, and the Angels realized that wasn’t likely to happen on their roster.
“He wants to be in the big leagues,” Minasian said. “He’s been in the big leagues a long time. As currently constructed, it would have been very difficult to make this team, which was his goal.”
Mejia, 28, has played 355 games in the majors over parts of seven years, including 50 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season.
Logan O’Hoppe and Matt Thaiss are in line to be the two catchers on the major league roster, and the Angels also have Chad Wallach, Caleb Hamilton and Zach Humphreys as depth.
Minasian pointed out that the Angels signed Mejia early in the offseason, before they had re-signed Wallach and when they had more questions about Humphreys and Hamilton. Humphreys was injured last season.
Although Mejia was behind the plate when the Angels gave up five runs in the eighth inning on Saturday, Minasian and Washington said this decision was not related to Mejia’s performance. The three pitchers he handled issued five walks.
PEP TALK
After left-hander Nick Jones walked the first batter he faced in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday, Washington went to the mound to talk to the 25-year-old. He said it was to tell Jones to throw strikes. Jones settled down and escaped the inning with no runs scoring.
While many managers only go to the mound when they are making a pitching change, and they leave other visits to the pitching coach, Washington said he is not shy about making some visits himself.
Teams are now allowed only four mound visits per game, excluding pitching changes. That’s one fewer than last year, but that won’t dissuade Washington.
“For a mechanical and pitching thing, you’ll see the pitching coach,” Washington said. “When I’m ready to get in your head, you’ll see me. I’m a psychologist. When I go out there I’m going out to make them believe they can get off this field. … When I’ve got a message to deliver, I’m going to deliver it. That’s who I am. I’m not worried about (the number of) mound visits.”
Related Articles
Jo Adell has two extra-base hits in Angels’ spring-opening tie
Angels’ Chase Silseth looks to reclaim form before last year’s concussion
Alexander: Who wants to be commissioner of baseball?
Angels’ Zach Plesac has two new pitches as he attempts career reboot
Angels’ Ron Washington has a tentative lineup plan, with Anthony Rendon hitting cleanup
NOTES
Infielder Luis Rengifo (left hamstring tightness) said he’ll be able to play “really soon.” …
Infielder Michael Stefanic (left quad strain) was unsure of a timetable for his return. Stefanic was hurt during Saturday’s game. He said on Sunday that he felt better. “I’m just disappointed,” he said. “You work very hard all season to get ready for this, and the first time it just kind of grabbed on me a little bit. I’ll heal and get back as soon as I can.” …
Right-hander José Cisnero arrived in camp on Sunday after being delayed in the Dominican Republic by visa issues. Cisnero had been working out at the Angels complex in the Dominican, so he said he’s ready to go. He was scheduled to throw live batting practice on Sunday.