The Angels announced that outfielder Jorge Soler he was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Striker Nick Madrigal selected for assignment as a corresponding move. The Halos added a first baseman Trey Mancinidesignated for assignment last week, opted for free agency after being transferred to Triple-A Salt Lake.
The Angels signed Madrigal, 29, to a minor league deal earlier in the season. He was named to the big league roster in late May. At the time, the club had just lost both Yoan Moncada again Nolan Schanuel on the injured list, depriving them of their top corner infield options. That went away Vaughn Grissom as usual in the beginning when boys love Donovan Walton again Denzer Guzman combined for the third time.
Madrigal was playing part-time on the bench. He did well enough with a small sample of playing time. He made 52 plate appearances with a .273/.385/.295 line. Seven walks and a strikeout increased his average three times, helping his wRC+ rise to 101 on the year. However, Madrigal doesn’t offer much with the bat and that was the case here. He hit 12 hits, but 11 were singles and one was a double.
His offensive profile is that of a heavy guy without much power. In 992 trips to the plate in his career, his 5% walk rate and 8.9% strikeout rate are both low. He has a .274/.326/.342 line and an 88 wRC+ in that span. He has shown more ability to walk since joining the Angels but in a small sample size. He’s a solid linebacker and can steal a few bags but won’t give up much in the batter’s box.
The Halos got Schanuel from IL a few weeks ago but Soler went the other way with an oblique strain. Now that Soler is ready to return, Madrigal is out. Madrigal has five years of service so he cannot be selected without his consent, so he is completely removed from the 40-man. DFA limbo can last for up to a week. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so the Angels could take five days to see if there’s a trade interest, but they could also put him on the phone sooner than that. If he cancels the waiver, he will have the right to choose his own choice.
More to come.
