Former Oriole slugger Trey Mancini signs minor league deal with Angels

One of the most admired Orioles in club history, Trey Mancini, will get one more chance at a comeback. According to a report by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Mancini, who hasn’t played in the major leagues since July 31st, 2023, has agreed to a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.

Mancini’s work with new Angels batting coach Brady Anderson was detailed in an excellent story by Rosenthal on Monday. Mancini credits the longtime Oriole player and executive with reviving his career.

After missing the 2020 season because of colon cancer surgery and chemotherapy treatments, Mancini was named American League Comeback Player of the Year.

His best season with the Orioles was in 2019 when he was elected Most Valuable Oriole. Mancini hit .291 with an .899 OPS, 35 home runs and 97 RBIs.

In six seasons with the Orioles, Mancini, who finished third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2017, hit .270 with a .797 OPS, 117 home runs and 350 RBIs.

Mancini was traded to the Houston Astros as part of a three-way deal on August 1^st, 2022. The Orioles received right-handers Chayce McDermott and Seth Johnson in the trade.

In 51 games with the Astros, who won the World Series, Mancini hit .176 with eight homers and 22 RBIs. He signed with the Chicago Cubs but was released on August 2^nd, 2023 after hitting .234 with four home runs and 28 RBIs.

Since then, Mancini has played in the minor leagues in the Cincinnati and Arizona organizations. He hit .308 with an .895 OPS, 16 home runs and 62 RBIs for Triple-A Reno before opting out of his contract on July 1^st.

Orioles lose José Suárez to Braves

Left-handed pitcher José Suarez, who was claimed off waivers from Atlanta on January 15^th, has returned to the Braves on a waiver claim. Suárez was designated for assignment after the Orioles claimed utility player Weston Wilson on Thursday.

To make room for Suárez, Atlanta designated pitcher George Soriano for assignment. The Braves claimed Soriano from the Orioles on January 9^th.

Note: Outfielder Dylan Carlson, who hit .203 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 83 games with the Orioles last season, has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.

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