Angels Send Jorge Soler for Assignment After Struggling Season

The Los Angeles Angels have designated outfielder and designated hitter Jorge Soler for assignment. No official announcement has been made, and no new player has been added to the roster yet.

Soler had a tough 2026 season. The 34-year-old is batting .203 with a low on-base percentage of .291 and a slugging mark of .373. He hit 12 home runs in 361 plate appearances but struck out nearly one-third of the time. These numbers show a clear drop from his past performance as a powerful hitter.

Power is still part of Soler’s game, but he struggles with making contact and being consistent. His walk rate has dropped below 10% for two straight seasons, down from 11-12% earlier in his career. This year, he struck out at a rate of 32.7%, the highest since the shortened 2020 season.

Even against left-handed pitchers, where Soler used to excel, he is hitting just .207/.284/.341 in 2026. Advanced metrics show his performance has declined, with less power compared to previous years.

Soler is earning $13 million in the final year of a three-year, $42 million deal he signed with the San Francisco Giants. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2024 and later joined the Angels. After spending over a season with them, his time in Anaheim has not gone well.

With the trade deadline passed, the Angels have limited options. They tried to trade him but found no teams willing to take on the remaining $3.91 million of his contract. Placing Soler on waivers is next. Few teams are expected to claim him, so he will likely become a free agent and sign a minor-league deal.

This move frees up a roster spot for the Angels. One player who might get more playing time is Moises Ballesteros, a left-handed hitter recently acquired from the Chicago Cubs.

For Soler, this marks an end to a difficult chapter with the Angels. Once a strong power hitter and World Series contributor, he still has raw power but faces an uncertain future as he looks for a new opportunity in free agency.