Angels cut ties with ex-Cubs, Tigers veteran who once led MLB in doubles

The Los Angeles Angels reinstated shortstop Vaughn Grissom from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. 

In a corresponding move, they designated a 11-year Major League veteran for assignment. Third/first baseman Jeimer Candelario signed a minor league contract with the Halos during the offseason but might end up elsewhere. 

Candelario, 32, hit just .111/.200/.222 with two doubles and eight strikeouts in 20 trips to the plate with the Angels. He led MLB with 42 doubles in 2021 with the Detroit Tigers, but his offensive production has fallen off a cliff since. 

Ahead of the 2024 season, Candelario signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds after hitting a combined 22 home runs with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs the previous year. 

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Last June, the Reds released him after he struck out in 31.9% of his first 91 at-bats. Cincinnati still owes him $15 million for the final year of the contract he signed with the NL Central club. 

"Even if another club has interest in Candelario, however, they might not be willing to devote a 40-man roster spot to him, so it seems likely that the infielder will clear waivers," Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors wrote Saturday. "He has enough MLB service time to reject an outright assignment and then elect free agency, so Candelario can test the market again for another minor league contract." 

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