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Angels send down Christian Moore, leaving questions about second base

March 14, 2026

TEMPE, Ariz. — Christian Moore, who had the first shot to win the Angels’ starting second-base spot, didn’t get it done.

The Angels optioned Moore and Kyren Paris on Saturday, at least partially answering one of the pressing questions the Angels faced coming into spring training.

“We still have like 50 guys in camp,” manager Kurt Suzuki quipped. “There’s a lot of guys still competing for that job. We just narrowed it down. I wouldn’t be surprised if it still takes some time.”

Non-roster invitee Adam Frazier could be leading candidate left for the job, although Oswald Peraza, Nick Madrigal, Vaughn Grissom and Chris Taylor are also all still in big-league camp.

Moore, 23, hit .175 in 43 spring plate appearances, and was at times shaky in the field. Although there were some encouraging underlying numbers – harder contact and a reduced strikeout rate – he apparently didn’t do enough to win the job.

“It’s just consistency,” Suzuki said. “We’ve seen it. He’s got a great approach. He’s got all the tools. It’s just consistency. Keep grinding. The defense, he would be the first one to tell you that he could do a lot of different things better. He could maybe make more plays.

“The hard part is he’s working so hard every day. And that’s something that you respect. He works his butt off every single day to improve himself offensively, defensively. Sometimes guys just develop at their own pace and they might need more time, and that’s what we felt was best for him.”

Among the remaining choices, Frazier has a few things in his favor. He’s solid defensively. He’s a left-handed hitter and puts the ball in play. All of those are things the Angels need. Frazier, 34, was hitting .353 in 21 plate appearances heading into Saturday’s game, with just three strikeouts.

Peraza and Grissom are out of options, so they are likely to make the team in any case, at least as bench players.

The Angels even had Jeimer Candelario scheduled to finish Saturday’s game at second base. Candelario has never played second in the majors, but if he can play there at least occasionally, it would bolster his chances of making the team as a bench player.

‘HEARTBROKEN’

Right-hander Robert Stephenson provided a discoursing update on the setback he suffered during his last throwing session.

“There is concern right now for the state of my UCL, and my flexor,” Stephenson said. “I’m going to see if there’s a way we can rehab this thing and be able to pitch this year, but I don’t know what it looks like.”

Stephenson said he was going to try to see noted orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister in the coming week. Stephenson underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, and had other arm issues that prevented him from pitching for most of 2025.

Now, the final season of his three-year, $33 million contract is in jeopardy

“It’s heartbreaking,” Stephenson said, his voice cracking. “It’s three years and I’ve got 10 innings to my name. It sucks. I just want to be on the field.”

Up until this week, Stephenson had been consistently optimistic about his progress, saying he would “absolutely” be ready for Opening Day.

The Angels had been hoping Stephenson could pitch, but they added enough depth to the bullpen that they were never counting on it. They signed veterans Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, Drew Pomeranz and Brent Suter to take four of the eight spots.

Chase Silseth, who is out of options, and Sam Bachman, who has had an outstanding spring, also seem like strong bets. Ryan Zeferjahn also seems likely to make it.

Right-hander Nick Sandlin, who is coming back from arthroscopic elbow surgery, still has not pitched in a game, but that’s apparently close.

“We weren’t honestly thinking he would be (ready for Opening Day),” Suzuki said, “but just watching him progress, he’s facing live hitters and all this kind of stuff. I watched him throw and he looked great.”

Right-hander Ben Joyce, who is coming back from shoulder surgery, threw sliders in the bullpen for the first time this spring Friday. He is progressing, but doesn’t have time to be ready for Opening Day.

NOTES

Josh Lowe returned to the Angels’ lineup for the first time since suffering an oblique injury earlier this spring. Lowe had gotten about 15 plate appearances in two days of intrasquad and minor-league games. He still hasn’t played the outfield, but Suzuki said that’s coming soon. Suzuki said he “100%” believes Lowe will be ready for Opening Day. …

Right-hander George Klassen is scheduled to start the Angels’ Cactus League game against the A’s on Monday. It will be the third start of the spring for Klassen, who has allowed two runs in eight innings, with nine strikeouts. Klassen is among a cast of pitchers fighting for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. …

Yoán Moncada returned to the lineup after playing for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. He was 2 for 13 with a homer in the WBC. “I still feel like I don’t have the timing exactly down, so I’m hoping that these last couple games that I can improve on that,” Moncada said through an interpreter. …

Right-hander José Soriano worked six scoreless innings in an intrasquad game Saturday morning. …

Reports on Jack Kochanowicz’s performance in a minor-league game Friday were good. Suzuki said he heard that pitching coach Mike Maddux and bullpen coach Dom Chiti were satisfied. “He’s been impressive this camp,” Suzuki said. “(Maddux and Chiti) were reiterating how impressive he’s been looking. Throwing strikes. He added a new breaking ball. The big thing with him is, I talked to Jack actually a couple days ago, he was like, ‘I’m back to myself. I’m throwing strikes, I’m pounding the strike zone.’”

Orange County Register

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Angels send down Christian Moore, leaving questions about second base

‘HEARTBROKEN’

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