The Angels announced Tuesday that first baseman Jared Walsh went unclaimed on outright waivers and has accepted an assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake. He’ll remain in the organization but no longer occupy a spot on the 40-man roster.
Walsh broke out with a hefty .280/.331/.531 slash and 38 home runs in 176 games from 2020-21, cementing his place on the Angels’ roster in the process. However, the now-29-year-old late bloomer has seen his production plummet in the two seasons since, due largely to alarming health issues. Walsh underwent thoracic outlet surgery last summer, ending his season after 118 games of .215/.269/.374 output at the plate.
The 2023 season has been even more concerning. Walsh was placed on the injured list early in the season due to persistent headaches and insomnia. Walsh detailed his struggles in an interview with Blum earlier in the season: “It’s been hell. Not knowing what’s going on, not understanding what’s happening with my body….And not being able to get answers, not being able to figure out why I can’t do basic tasks. It’s been pretty concerning for me.”
Walsh was thankfully at least able to return to the field, but the results have been nowhere near his peak levels. In 78 big league plate appearances, he’s batted just .119/.244/.224 while striking out in a third of his plate appearances. He’s batted .231/.394/.410 in 99 plate appearances since being optioned to Triple-A, but he’s still fanned in 30.3% of those trips to the plate.
Between those struggles, the uncertainty surrounding his health, and the approximately $883K that’s still remaining on this year’s $2.65MM salary, Walsh didn’t drum up any interest from other clubs. He could’ve rejected this assignment in favor of free agency, but doing so would’ve required forfeiting that remaining $883K. As a player with more than three years of service time who’s been outrighted off the 40-man roster, he’ll be able to become a free agent at season’s end — unless the Halos add him back to the 40-man roster and keep him there into the offseason.
Surprised the Padres and Rays didn’t claim him.
.119avg? You are surprised? Who would the Rays DFA? Even Bruan is hitting WAY BETTER than that with the Rays.
Very small sample size tho and has been capable of being an above average hitter in the past… im surprised even a team like the pirates didn’t take a chance
Glad to keep him in the fold. Dude has had a rough go of it but continues to work hard.
Hopefully he shows up to Tempe next March and looks like the old Walsh.
Hope Jared gets his life back on track
If he can get back to being a useful baseball player, that’s gravy
Has any player ever came back from thoracic outlet surgery the same player or better? Feel like it’s a career ender for anyone that’s received it.
I can’t think of one, but it usually happens to pitchers.
Glad we were able to keep him. Rest up and feel better Walshey. It won’t be long until we need you
Not if the Angels decide to keep Cron and Grichuk.
Thats a surprise
Glad he’s still with us. I think he can bounce back and be MLB productive again next year.
I’m happy to read this.
I’ve said many times those 40 man roster spots have value, it’s why teams should not acquire dregs that will use those spots.
Walsh has talent, and if he fully recovers from his surgery, he could have a very nice big league career.
I had a feeling no one was going to grab him on waivers. He wasn’t making the league minimum and is pretty limited defensively even though he has had strong offensive seasons in the past. I hope he finds that success again! I am kind of surprised he accepted the outright assignment though. I figured he’d latch on somewhere else on a MILB deal, maybe in a new environment where he could rediscover his self or a team with a clearer path back to the majors. Then Angels are trying to contend and the likelihood of him getting another call up is less than with another team.
Doesn’t he have to forgo the rest of his salary to elect free agency at this point?
I’m actually not 100% about that but I think if the Angels are the ones designating him he gets to keep his salary regardless.
Looks like a good stiff for the Yankees to go after
It is sad what has happened to Walsh. Long COVID symptoms are no joke.