Angels signed LHP Greg Smith to a minor league contract.
It’s not clear whether he’s been given a spring training invite. Smith spent all of 2011 at Triple-A in the Yankees and Red Sox organizations, posting a 4.52 ERA over 17 games — 14 starts. The 28-year-old was once a decent prospect but is organizational filler at this point.
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Albert Pujols told Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes that he plans to show up at Angels’ camp a week before the report date for position players.
“I believe it’s important [to arrive early], not just because I’m on a new team, but because for the last 12 years I’ve lived in St. Louis, where it’s cold,” said Pujols, who will play his first spring training in Arizona. “I’m going to try to show up a week early to get used to the weather, to get to know my teammates and to avoid getting there a day early and having a lot of problems.” Pitchers, catchers and injured players are scheduled to report on February 19 while position players are scheduled to arrive on February 26. The Angels will begin their exhibition schedule on March 5 against the Athletics.
Source: go.com
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Angels’ minor league right-hander Daniel Reynolds was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse.
No specifics were released regarding the actual substance, but this is not a PED-related suspension. Reynolds, a sixth-round pick of the Angels in 2009, has a 3.93 ERA and 28/6 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 relief innings in rookie ball. The 20-year-old will get a late start on his 2012 campaign.
Source: twitter.com
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Angels re-signed RHP Francisco Rodriguez to a minor league contract.
Rodriguez can earn a $481,000 salary if he makes the big league roster this spring. The 28-year-old had a 4.61 ERA in 10 relief appearances for the Angels last season.
Source: mlblogs.com
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Russell Branyan intends to continue his playing career.
Branyan has struggled to find much free agent interest this offseason, but that could change as spring training approaches and teams try to add roster depth. The 36-year-old first baseman batted .197/.295/.370 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 146 plate appearances last season between the Diamondbacks and Angels.
Source: twitter.com
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Kendrys Morales (ankle) is drawing rave reviews for his early workouts at the Angels’ spring training complex.
“I’ve been hitting with him every day and he looks strong,” Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos said Wednesday. “Monday was the first time he took live BP (with a coach throwing) and he was popping them out from both sides. It’s very impressive.” If Morales continues progressing, he could become a legitimate fantasy sleeper. The 28-year-old tallied 34 homers and 108 RBI in 2010.
Source: ocregister.com
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Mark Trumbo (foot) will be re-examined by foot-and-ankle specialist Dr. Phillip Kwong next week in anticipation of getting fully cleared for spring training.
Trumbo suffered a stress fracture in his right foot near the end of last season and only recently was cleared to begin some limited baseball activities. While he isn’t yet running or working out on the field, he has begun fielding ground balls with a third baseman’s glove. “I’m done putting timelines on it,” explained Trumbo. “I know how I feel. I feel great. In my mind, I absolutely feel I could play. I could play now. But it’s not entirely up to me and I need to trust the professionals.” Despite the slow recovery, the 26-year-old plans to report to spring training early to tackle the transition at the hot corner. While the Angels don’t expect him to turn into an everyday option at the position, they are hoping it give them some flexibility with their logjam between first base and designated hitter. However, given Trumbo’s lack of range and experience, it’s natural to be skeptical.
Source: ocregister.com
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Angels released OF Chris Pettit.
He was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this offseason and is now out of the organization. The 27-year-old outfielder batted just .182 with a .587 OPS in 124 minor league games this past season, so he’s probably not going to have many teams beating down his door to sign him.
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The Angels and INF Erick Aybar avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.075 million contract.
A nice raise for Aybar, who made $3 million in 2011 while batting .279/.322/.421 with 10 home runs, 59 RBI and 30 stole bases in 143 games. He will start at shortstop this year for Anaheim and should again be a valuable fantasy commodity in mixed leagues.
Source: twitter.com
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The Angels signed Alberto Callaspo to a $3.15 million contract for 2012, avoiding arbitration.
Callaspo did well for himself in his second year of arbitration eligibility, securing a decent raise for 2012 after making $2 million in 2011. The 28-year-old batted .288 with a .740 OPS, six home runs and 46 RBI across 536 plate appearances last season. He will start at third base for Anaheim this year.
Source: twitter.com
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