ANAHEIM, Calif. — The
Moniak’s release appears to open a roster spot for Matthew Lugo, the 23-year-old outfielder acquired from Boston at last year’s trade deadline in a deal for reliever Luis García. Lugo has never played in the majors.
Los Angeles also agreed with infielder Nicky Lopez on a one-year, $850,000 contract, designated left-handers José Quijada and Angel Perdomo for assignment and selected the contracts of shortstop Tim Anderson from Triple-A Salt Lake and right-hander Ryan Johnson from the Arizona Complex League Angels.
Anderson gets a $1.25 million salary while in the major leagues. The 31-year-old won the 2019 AL batting title and was an All-Star with the Chicago White Sox in 2021 and 2022.
He hit .214 with no homers, 9 RBIs and 4 stolen bases in 234 at-bats last year with the Miami Marlins, all career lows. Anderson didn’t play between May 10 and May 21 because of lower back tightness. He was designated for assignment on July 2 and released three days later.
The Angels open the season Thursday on the road against the Chicago White Sox. Los Angeles has the majors’ longest active streaks of nine straight losing seasons and 10 straight non-playoff seasons.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
