Mike

Moustakas

Moustakas was cut loose last spring after failing to make the White Sox’ season-opening roster and will officially step away from the game as a member of the Royals, who will hold a retirement ceremony on May 31. The 36-year-old was a key part of Kansas City’s 2015 World Series title and spent eight years with the organization. A three-time All-Star selection, Moose finishes with a lifetime .247 batting average along with 215 home runs over 13 seasons in the big leagues from 2011-2023 that included stops with the Reds, Brewers, Angels and Rockies.

Moustakas was in camp this spring as a non-roster invitee and seemed to have a decent shot at making Chicago’s season-opening roster in a bench role. The 35-year-old veteran infielder has been jettisoned to pursue an opportunity elsewhere rather than heading to Triple-A Charlotte.

It’ll be veteran Mike Moustakas taking over at the hot corner. Moncada should be ready to return in a couple days, if not sooner.

The 35-year-old slugger returns to the American League Central, where he had the most success of his career during his time with the Royals from 2011-2018. Moustakas split his 2023 campaign between the Rockies and Angels, slashing a combined .247/.293/.392 with 12 homers and 48 RBI in 386 plate appearances. There’s playing time to be had with the White Sox, so don’t be surprised if he has a strong camp and cracks the Opening Day roster.

Moustakas had been on the shelf since the mid-September with a left forearm strain and returned as the designated hitter and will bat fifth on Sunday. On the season, the veteran slugger is hitting .252/.300/.404 with 12 homers and 47 RBI between Colorado and Los Angeles.

Moustakas left Wednesday’s contest against the Mariners due to soreness in his left wrist. Given that there are only two weeks left in the regular season, it’s quite possible that Moustakas has played in his final game with the Angels. Kyren Paris was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move on Friday.

It’ll be Eduardo Escobar at the hot corner on Wednesday afternoon following Moustakas’ early exit from Tuesday’s showdown due to left wrist soreness. He’s day-to-day for now.

Moustakas was 0-for-2 before being lifted against the Mariners. He’s hit .243/.265/.387 with subpar defense in 61 games since joining the Angels, so the team wouldn’t lose much of anything if he needs to shut it down.

Moniak was pulled from Tuesday’s game with back soreness, but he was expected to sit anyway with lefty Cristopher Sanchez on the hill for Philadelphia. Trey Cabbage and Mike Moustakas are also sitting on Wednesday while Luis Rengifo is starting in center field. Nolan Schanuel will hit leadoff Wednesday.

Cron takes a seat on Wednesday evening after returning to Los Angeles’ lineup on Tuesday night following a two-game absence due to lower back tightness. It’ll be Mike Moustakas taking over at first base in his absence.