The Los Angeles Angels signed second baseman Nicky Lopez on Tuesday.
It is a one-year, $850,000 major league contract, the team announced. Lopez will be part of the squad’s Opening Day roster.
The six-year veteran is best known for his four-plus seasons with the Kansas City Royals. In 2021, he had a career year, batting .300 and stealing 22 bases.
After a 25-game run with the Atlanta Braves in 2023, Lopez spent the 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox. In 124 games, he recorded one home run, 21 RBIs and five stolen bases with a .241/.312/.294 batting line.
Lopez, 30, spent spring training with the Chicago Cubs. In nine games, he posted a blistering .450/.542/.550 line but was released last week.
The veteran provides flexibility to the Angels’ infield, which is dealing with injuries to Zach Neto (shoulder) and Yoan Moncada (thumb). Lopez has logged significant time at second base and shortstop during his career.
Nevertheless, Lopez’s role is still unclear. The Angels have plenty of infield options battling for playing time, including newcomers Tim Anderson and Kevin Newman, former second-round pick Kyren Paris and productive utility man Luis Rengifo.
–Field Level Media
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