The Los Angeles Angels have designated infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment to make room for Vaughn Grissom, who has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The move comes after Candelario struggled to live up to expectations during his brief return to the majors this season.
Candelario signed a minor league contract with the Angels during the offseason and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster thanks to strong spring training numbers. However, his .111/.200/.222 slash line over 20 plate appearances in the regular season quickly ended his 2026 campaign. His poor performance continued a trend that began after he signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds before the 2024 season.
Candelario hit .225/.279/.429 over 463 plate appearances in 2024, but his production dropped sharply in 2025. He batted .113/.198/.213 in just 91 plate appearances before the Reds released him in June. Injuries such as knee tendinitis and a lumbar spine strain contributed to the decline. The New York Yankees signed him after his release but did not promote him to the majors.
Despite his struggles, Candelario remains under contract. The Reds are still responsible for the $15 million remaining on his deal, meaning any team that claims him would only owe a prorated minimum salary. However, Candelario has enough service time to reject an outright assignment and return to free agency, making a waiver claim less appealing for most clubs.
Grissom is now set to make his Angels debut. The 2022 Rookie of the Year with the Atlanta Braves has yet to replicate that success in recent seasons. After a poor 2023 campaign, Grissom was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Chris Sale in the 2023-24 offseason. He struggled in Boston and dealt with injuries before being replaced by younger prospects.
Candelario’s designation creates a roster spot for Grissom, who will look to revive his career in Anaheim. The Angels will also monitor whether any team claims Candelario on waivers. If not, he will likely opt for free agency and pursue another minor league opportunity.
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