Player News
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The Angels released Sano on Saturday. Sano is now free to pursue an opportunity with a new organization after going unclaimed off waivers over the weekend. After impressing enough in spring training to secure a spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster, the 31-year-old Sano slashed .205/.295/.313 while striking out at a 37.9 percent clip over 95 plate appearances before being cut loose.
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The Angels designated Sano for assignment Monday. The move is to make room on the roster for Anthony Rendon (hamstring), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday. Sano came off the 10-day IL on June 25 after recovering from knee inflammation and was in contention for an everyday role at third base after Luis Rengifo (wrist) was placed on the injured list. However, Sano has gone just 1-for-22 with nine strikeouts since his return, and his playing time was set to diminish even further with Rendon off the IL. Should Sano clear waivers, he will have the option of sticking with the Halos in Triple-A or decline an outright assignment and seek to join another club.
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Sano is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs. Though he looked like he might have a chance at recapturing an everyday role with the Angels after Luis Rengifo (wrist) was placed on the injured list Friday, Sano may instead be occupying the short side of a platoon at third base with the lefty-hitting Luis Guillorme. Sano had started at third base against left-handers Thursday and Friday, but he's on the bench Sunday for the second day in a row against a righty while Guillorme covers the hot corner.
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Sano isn't in the Angels' lineup for Saturday's game versus the Cubs. Sano has been held hitless in 13 at-bats over his last four games, so he'll get a day off to regroup against Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs. His absence will allow Luis Guillorme to pick up a start at the hot corner while batting eighth.
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Sano went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 5-0 victory against Detroit on Thursday. Sano got a second straight start and put the Angels on the board in the first inning with a solo shot to center field. On a less positive note, the veteran slugger struck out in his other three at-bats, and he's fanned five times over nine plate appearances since returning from the injured list June 25. Sano's big-league resume suggests he can offer the Angels plenty of pop, but his 40 percent strikeout rate on the campaign highlights his primary weakness as a hitter.