The Angels selected the contract of infielder Kean Wong prior to today’s game with the Athletics. Catcher Drew Butera was designated for assignment last night to open up a roster spot.
Wong was in today’s starting lineup, marking his first appearance in an MLB game since the 2019 season. Wong made his Major League debut that season, appearing in seven total games with the Rays and (after a late-season waiver claim) Angels. The Giants then claimed Wong off waivers in November 2019, before he returned to Anaheim on a minor league contract this past winter.
A veteran of nine minor league seasons, Wong will add some depth to an Angels infield that lost Jose Iglesias and Franklin Barreto to the injured list. Wong has spent much of his career as a second and third baseman, but has also gotten playing time as a left fielder and seen a handful of games as a shortstop and corner outfielder. With Iglesias out and David Fletcher taking over shortstop duties, Wong and Phil Gosselin are likely to combine for an interim second base platoon. (Wong started at second base for the Halos today.)
Butera was acquired in a minor trade with the Rangers earlier this month, when the Angels were hurting for catching depth due to injuries. With Max Stassi now on a Triple-A rehab assignment following a concussion, the Halos seem content with Stassi, Kurt Suzuki and Anthony Bemboom as their catching mix, leaving Butera expendable.
If this is it for Butera with the Angels, his 12 games will at least exceed his previous stint with the team — 10 games during the 2015 season. The well-traveled veteran is in his 12th Major League season, and now may be looking to join his ninth different organization.