The Los Angeles Angels signed Chris Taylor to a Major League contract and have him in their lineup for a Memorial Day matchup against the New York Yankees.
Taylor, who will wear No. 33 for the Angels, is starting in center field and batting eighth. He takes the roster spot of Kyren Paris, who was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake after the game on Sunday.
Taylor joins the Angels just over one week after he was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was part of a surprising stretch for the Dodgers organization that also saw Austin Barnes designated for assignment.
Barnes was the longest-tenured Dodgers position player, which then became Taylor prior to getting released. Barnes is currently still a free agent.
Taylor’s role with the Dodgers had continued to diminish over recent years and his 87 games played in 2024 were his fewest in a full season with the Dodgers. Receiving inconsistent at-bats since moving to a bench role may have exacerbated Taylor’s offensive woes last season.
Taylor played in 28 games this season before being released by the Dodgers. His future with the team became particularly tenuous with the emergence of rookie Hyeseong Kim.
Taylor’s contract included a $12 million team option for 2026, and $4 million buyout. At the time of releasing the veteran, the Dodgers owed Taylor more than $13 million in remaining salary.
The total they remain responsible for is now deducted by the presumed prorated minimum that Taylor signed for in his Angels contract. The MLB league minimum for a full season is $760,000.
Chris Taylor reunites with former Dodgers teammate
In signing with the Angels, Taylor not only gets an opportunity to stay in Southern California but he also is teammates again with Kenley Jansen.
Jansen signed a one-year contract with the Angels during the offseason but is considered a potential trade candidate at the deadline this season.
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