ANAHEIM — Miguel Sanó couldn’t wait to share the news, so the veteran third baseman took to Instagram on Tuesday to let his followers know he had made the Angels’ roster. In a photo, the former All-Star points to the sky.
“For the first thing, I want to say thank you to God and to the Angels for the opportunity,” Sanó said before the Angels’ final spring training game against the Dodgers. “It’s great to have the moment and opportunity that has been given to me.”
Sanó, a free agent, was among the last group of players vying for a roster spot. When the Angels optioned Livan Soto and sent down Willie Calhoun, Caleb Hamilton and Cole Fontenelle, it opened the door for him.
“I’m going to take care of my job. I’m going to work hard every day to prove what I got every day on the field,” said Sanó, who reported to camp 58 pounds lighter and eager to show he could still swing the bat.
Although Sanó batted just .186 and had a .695 OPS throughout the spring, his power and improved physical condition, along with a strong work ethic, impressed Manager Ron Washington. He informed Sano of his decision shortly after Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium.
“He swung the bat well and did everything we asked him to do,” Washington said. “He worked his butt off and is very deserving of being on our roster and that’s why he’s here.”
Sanó showed how he can still contribute by crushing a solo home run in the second inning on Tuesday night to give the Angels a three-run lead. He also reached base on an error.
Sanó said the past few days have been nerve-wracking but always believed he could still contribute to a major league team after a near two-year hiatus.
“I plan to work double, triple – all hard work every day that I come to the field,” Sano said.
Sanó, 30, hit at least 25 home runs in four big league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, including 30 in 2021. In 2022, he hit .083 and was released.
Sanó could play third and first and he can also be used as a DH.
STRONG START
Right-hander Chase Silseth struck out 10 but gave up back-to-back home runs through five innings of work, his longest outing of spring training.
In an earlier spring training game against the Dodgers, Silseth gave up three hits in 2⅓ scoreless innings, striking out two. He got his lone spring training victory in his first outing, throwing two innings against the Cleveland Guardians on Feb. 29.
READY FOR HIS ANGELS DEBUT
On the cusp of the regular season, Washington sat in the dugout and declared he was ready to begin his 53rd year in baseball, his 42nd in the majors and first as the Angels manager.
“This means everything because I’m a leader and I got an opportunity to lead again,” said Washington, who guided the Texas Rangers from 2007-14 in his only other managerial job.
“I’m ready to go. I’m prepared.”
So is his team, he said. The Angels open the season Thursday afternoon at the Baltimore Orioles.
“They better be. We just had six weeks of spring training, so they certainly are where I want them to be,” Washington said.
Washington wants to shut down outside noise, the talk of finishing fourth this season after missing the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. He wants to prove that this year’s squad possesses the talent to advance to the postseason.
“They are ready to play baseball and the identity will make itself known,” he said.
