Thaiss signed a one-year deal with the Cubs on Friday to avoid arbitration, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
After the Angels designated Thaiss for assignment Nov. 14, he was traded to the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Unless the Cubs make another move in the offseason, Thaiss is projected to serve as the backup catcher to Miguel Amaya. Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with two home runs and 16 RBI over 186 plate appearances during the 2024 regular season with the Angels.
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Cubs' Matt Thaiss: Acquired by Cubs
Rotowire
The Cubs acquired Thaiss from the Angels on Wednesday in exchange for cash consideration, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Thaiss was designated for assignment last week and has now found a new home. The Cubs are looking for catching help this offseason, although Thaiss wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade over Miguel Amaya. As things stand right now, he and Amaya could share starts at the position.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Designated for assignment
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The Angels designated Thaiss for assignment Thursday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Thaiss slashed .204/.323/.299 with 16 RBI across 186 plate appearances last year while serving as the primary backup to Logan O'Hoppe -- a role the newly signed Travis d'Arnaud is expected to fill. Thaiss may draw interest from other teams in need of depth at catcher, though no landing spot is likely to result in a starting job for the 29-year-old backstop.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Taking seat Saturday
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Thaiss is absent from Saturday's lineup against Texas, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The lefty-hitting Thaiss will retreat to the dugout Saturday with the Rangers sending southpaw Andrew Heaney to the mound. Brandon Drury will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Starting in place of O'Hoppe
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Thaiss will start at catcher and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Thaiss will get the nod behind the plate Wednesday in place of the resting Logan O'Hoppe, as the Angels and White Sox wrap up their series with a day game after a night game. The 29-year-old Thaiss will be entering the lineup in the midst of a cold spell, as he's gone hitless in 30 at-bats over his last 11 contests.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Swats second homer
Rotowire
Thaiss went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.
Thaiss produced one of just two extra-base hits for Los Angeles in the defeat, smacking a solo shot to center field in the fifth inning. The backstop was in the lineup for the third time in five days -- twice he's worked behind the plate, and once he was the DH -- as his playing time has been slightly ticking up. Thaiss has earned the increased at-bats by slashing .342/.435/.474 with seven RBI, four runs, a 7:9 BB:K and three stolen bases over 12 contests since the beginning of July.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Plays huge role in win
Rotowire
Thaiss went 3-for-5 with a double, five RBI and two stolen bases in Tuesday's 10-7 win over the Rockies.
Thaiss had a two-run double in the third inning, a two-run single in the fourth and an RBI single in the eighth. He also logged his first two steals of the campaign. Prior to Tuesday, Thaiss hadn't done much of anything well -- he entered the contest with just seven RBI all year. He's slashing .253/.347/.373 with one home run, 12 RBI, eight runs scored, seven doubles and two steals through 95 plate appearances. He's played roughly once a week in July, so Logan O'Hoppe figures to remain in a starting role behind the dish.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Fills in for resting O'Hoppe
Rotowire
Thaiss will start at catcher and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Mariners.
Thaiss will step in behind the plate for the series finale while top backstop Logan O'Hoppe rests for the day game after catching all nine innings of Tuesday's 5-1 win. Expect Thaiss' opportunities to remain fairly limited moving forward while O'Hoppe continues to handle one of the heavier workloads among all catchers.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Getting start with O'Hoppe resting
Rotowire
Thaiss will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Athletics.
With top backstop Logan O'Hoppe getting a rare day off, Thaiss will start for just the fifth time in June. Thaiss' playing time will likely remain fairly limited throughout the season if O'Hoppe is able to stay healthy.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Slugs homer Sunday
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Thaiss went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to Cleveland.
Thaiss made the most of just his second start behind the plate over the past week, walloping a 446-foot two-run shot in the fifth inning for his first homer of the campaign. The veteran is firmly behind 24-year-old backstop Logan O'Hoppe on the catching depth chart -- Thaiss has only 46 plate appearances on the season to O'Hoppe's 172. When he has played, Thaiss has mostly struggled, slashing .200/.304/.350 with a 32.6 percent strikeout rate.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: On bench again Wednesday
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Thaiss is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Even with the Angels playing a day game after a night game, No. 1 catcher Logan O'Hoppe will remain behind the dish for the second day in a row while Thaiss sticks on the bench. Though he was able to secure the backup catcher job coming out of spring training, Thaiss doesn't look as though he'll play much more than once or twice a week while O'Hoppe is healthy. Through the Angels' first six games, Thaiss has made only one start.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Clubs ninth homer
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Thaiss went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-2 win over the Guardians.
Thaiss has gotten into just three games since returning Sept. 3 from a short trip on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. His homer Saturday was his first hit in nine at-bats during that span. The catcher has nine long balls, 31 RBI, 32 runs scored, two stolen bases and six doubles over 93 contests this year. Thaiss is likely to fill a backup role behind Logan O'Hoppe for the remainder of the year.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Returns from IL
Rotowire
The Angels reinstated Thaiss (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.
After landing on the IL on Aug. 25 with right shoulder inflammation, Thaiss spent the minimum amount of time on the shelf and didn't require a rehab assignment prior to being activated. He'll be one of three catchers on the Angels' 28-man roster, but even though top backstop Logan O'Hoppe is getting the day off for Sunday's series finale in Oakland, Thaiss won't receive the starting nod behind the plate. Instead, Chad Wallach will catch for Angels starter Tyler Anderson.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Further tests come back negative
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Thaiss underwent further testing on his injured right shoulder, which came back negative, MLB.com reports.
Thaiss was placed on the 10-day injured list last week with right shoulder inflammation and additional testing has ruled out structural damage. The catcher said he's most affected when throwing but is hopeful it will be a short-term absence. He's eligible for activation in early September, but there's no official return timetable at this point.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Lands on IL with inflamed shoulder
Rotowire
The Angels placed Thaiss on the 10-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Chad Wallach has been summoned from Triple-A Salt Lake to take over backup duties behind promising young catcher Logan O'Hoppe. Thaiss has a .223/.330/.344 season slash line across 291 plate appearances.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Sitting Sunday
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Thaiss isn't in the Angels' lineup Sunday against Houston, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Thaiss is just 3-for-23 with a homer and two RBI since the start of August, so he'll get a day off Sunday to regroup. Chad Wallach will fill in behind the plate and bat ninth.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: On bench Friday
Rotowire
Thaiss is out of the lineup Friday against the Astros.
Chad Wallach will start behind the plate and bat ninth as the Angels take on right-hander Justin Verlander. Logan O'Hoppe (shoulder) could soon return and claim the majority of the playing time at catcher for the stretch run.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Sits for day game
Rotowire
Thaiss is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Thaiss will take a seat for the matinee game after he was behind the plate for all eight innings of the Angels' 5-1 loss Tuesday night. Chad Wallach will catch for starting pitcher Lucas Giolito in the series finale.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Gets Monday off
Rotowire
Thaiss is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Thaiss will give way to Chad Wallach after catching each of the Halos' last four games. Unless he makes an appearance off the bench Monday, Thaiss will wrap up a disappointing July with a .150/.297/.250 slash line to go with two home runs, five RBI, four runs and one stolen base over 20 games.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: On bench for early game
Rotowire
Thaiss is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers.
Chad Wallach will catch for starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani in the early game, but expect Thaiss to check back in behind the plate for the nightcap. Thaiss remains atop the depth chart at catcher, but he's endured a rough July with a .156/.291/.289 slash line and only two extra-base hits on the month.
