MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports that the Angels have released OF/DH Raul Ibanez.
The 42-year-old has had a tough year at the plate, slashing .157/.258/.265 with three home runs and 21 RBI in 190 plate appearances. It’s a far cry from the numbers he put up with the Mariners last season, when he hit 29 home runs and posted a .793 OPS.
Given his age and rapidly declining production, Ibanez will likely consider retirement. Ibanez is a veteran of 19 seasons, having hit 303 career home runs, driven in 1,202 runs, and the author of a 273/.336/.467 slash line. He made his only All-Star team in 2009 with the Phillies.
Ibanez’s departure means more playing time for C.J. Cron. In 110 plate appearances in his first season in the major leagues, Cron is slashing .283/.309/.491 with four home runs and 16 RBI.