Angels DFA INF Jeimer Candelario

Field Level Media|published: 04/11/2026, 1:48pm EDT

Mar 31, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Jeimer Candelario (46) hits a double against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels designated infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment on Saturday after seven games and just two hits.

In a corresponding move, the team reinstated infielder Vaughn Grissom from the injured list.

The Angels signed Candelario as a free agent on Feb. 9 and invited him to spring training, despite two poor seasons in Cincinnati. He earned a spot on the Opening Day roster in Anaheim after hitting .235 in the Cactus League but with four home runs and 11 RBIs.

That power and productivity did not follow the 32-year-old into the regular season. In seven games with the Angels, he was 2-for-18 hitting, both doubles. He didn't drive in any runs and struck out eight times.

Candelario, an 11-year veteran, has 110 home runs, 384 RBIs and a career .236 batting average with five teams.

The Angels acquired Grissom, 25, in an offseason trade with the Boston Red Sox for minor league outfielder Isaiah Jackson.

Grissom spent most of the past two seasons at Triple-A Worcester but has major league experience. He appeared in 95 games with the Atlanta Braves and Red Sox from 2022-24, batting .255 with 82 hits in 95 games. He hit five homers and drove in 33 runs, scoring 39 times himself.

--Field Level Media