The Angels announced they’ve re-signed Taijuan Walker to a minor league contract. He’s back on the mound for Triple-A Salt Lake tonight against the D-Backs’ affiliate.
Walker had opted out of a prior non-roster deal with the Halos on Monday. It’s common for players to re-sign on a new minor league contract after doing so. Testing the market gives them a few days to see whether a major league opportunity presents itself. If not, their previous team is usually happy to sign a new minor league deal. The player can try to negotiate more opt-out or upward mobility clauses or, in some cases, a higher salary.
The latter isn’t a factor for Walker, who is making $18MM from the Phillies this year either way. Philadelphia remains on the hook for that money after releasing him in April. The Angels would pay him the prorated $780K major league minimum if he spends any time on their MLB roster, and that would come off Philadelphia’s obligations.
Walker struggled for the majority of his three-plus seasons in Philadelphia. He allowed more than a run per inning across 22 2/3 frames this season, leading the Phillies to move on. The veteran righty spent a month on the free agent market before signing with the Angels in late May. He made a couple tune-up appearances in the Complex League before reporting to Salt Lake. He tossed 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball with three strikeouts and walks apiece against Colorado’s affiliate in his only Triple-A start.
The Angels have an opening for the final rotation spot behind José Soriano, Reid Detmers, Grayson Rodriguez and Walbert Ureña. They lost Jack Kochanowicz to Tommy John surgery earlier this week. Sam Aldegheri is getting the first look in the vacated role, as he’ll start tomorrow’s series opener against Shane McClanahan and the Rays.
