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Angels’ Mike Moustakas happy to join a contender

June 25, 2023

DENVER — Released by the Reds last January despite the $22 million left on his contract and heading into the 2023 season without a team, 34-year-old Mike Moustakas found himself at a crossroads in his baseball career.

The Colorado Rockies took a chance on the three-time All Star, signing him to a minor-league deal in early March during spring training. He went on to put together a solid campaign, and now for this Southern California native’s career has come full circle. He was traded late Saturday to the Angels to shore up their infield depth and add another big bat to the roster.

“You know, they gave me an opportunity to come back and play Major League Baseball this year, and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” Moustakas said in a tip of the cap to the Rockies organization, which received minor league right-handed pitcher Connor Van Scoyoc in the trade. “Obviously, we didn’t play as well as we should have and wanted to, but that’s a great group of guys that’s going to be a good team in the future.

“That being said, that’s kind of part of the business that we’re in, and I get to come over here, make some new friends and join a contender. It’s exciting, man. We all play this game to win.”

Moustakas batted .270 with seven doubles, four home runs and 17 RBI in 47 games with the Rockies this season. Heading into Sunday’s play, he led the majors with six RBI as a pinch-hitter.

He also adds postseason experience to a club seeking to return to the playoffs, having been a member of the Kansas City Royals team that won a World Series in 2015.

The Royals drafted Moustakas second overall in 2007 from Chatsworth High, which he helped to win two Los Angeles City titles.

“What a great dude, great player,” said Mike Trout, who has known Moustakas since they played together for Team USA years ago. “I’ve gotten to know him over the years. Just one of those things where you come up through the draft process, then you play with each other, build a friendship and we go our separate ways. Now we’re teammates, so it’s pretty cool.”

A polished defender and accomplished hitter, Moustakas can help the Angels out with spot starts at first base or third base, positions that have been hit by injuries to Anthony Rendon and Gio Urshela. He can also come off the bench as a pinch hitter.

“He’s a veteran,” Trout said. “He has good at bats, plays great defense and he can hit the ball out of the yard. He can help this team for sure.”

RENFROE AT FIRST AGAIN

Angels manager Phil Nevin likes what he has seen so far in the team’s plan to play longtime outfielder Hunter Renfroe at first base, enough to give him a second straight start at the position on Sunday.

Renfroe made just his second career start Saturday at first and turned a nifty double play in addition to having five hits in the Angels’ club-record-breaking 25-1 win over the Rockies.

“Hunter looked like a normal first baseman, actually better,” Nevin said. “Everything he did over there looked very natural and I was wanting to see it again today.”

INJURY UPDATES

Reliever Matt Moore, on the 15-day injured list with a right oblique strain, felt a little soreness in his pitching arm Sunday, a day after throwing long toss and 15 pitches off the mound in a simulated game.

“He’s going to take a day of not throwing and we’ll see how he is when we get home,” Nevin said. “I wouldn’t call it a setback at all. I just don’t think he’s game-ready after yesterday, but he’s close.”

Nevin said third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is on the 10-day IL with a left wrist contusion, took some swings in the batting cage and fielded grounders in a morning workout. Nevin said with the addition of Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas, who both can play third, there was no need for a rushed return.

“With the moves we’ve made and the depth we have, we have time to make sure this is healed and not to rush anything back,” Nevin said.

WANTZ RECALLED

In a move to get a fresh arm in the bullpen, the Angels optioned left-handed reliever Kolton Ingram to Triple-A Salt Lake City and recalled right-hander Andrew Wantz. Ingram had pitched two innings in relief of Griffin Canning in the Angels’ big win Saturday night.

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

Beyond setting team records for runs scored (25) and hits (28) in a game Saturday night, the Angels reached other historic highs.

Among them, they became the first team in the modern era to score 20 or more runs in the span of two innings, according to OptaSTATS.

They also became the third team in major league history with 23 or more runs through the first four innings of a game. The 1922 Cubs and 1894 Pirates also achieved the feat.

Individually, Eduardo Escobar scored a career-high four runs and tied an American League record for runs scored in a team debut. Mickey Moniak tied a team record with four extra-base hits.

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Orange County Register