Jorge Soler Designated for Assignment by Los Angeles Angels

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels made the decision to remove Cuban outfielder and designated hitter Jorge Soler from their 40-man roster by designating him for assignment. This move introduces a period of uncertainty regarding the veteran player's future, as reported by journalist Mike Deportes.

The California-based organization was unable to secure a trade for Soler before Monday's deadline, which led them to opt for the designation for assignment (DFA) as the next step, according to information from MLB Trade Rumors.

Following this decision, the Angels have several options to determine the Cuban player's fate: they can trade him to another team, place him on waivers for another team to claim his contract, send him to the Minor Leagues if he is eligible and accepts the assignment, or release him.

With Soler off the active roster, it is anticipated that Moisés Ballesteros will take on the role of primary designated hitter, as reported by Sporting News.

Soler's 2026 season has been plagued by poor performance and injuries. At the time of the DFA, his offensive line was .203/.291/.373 with 12 home runs and a strikeout rate of 32.7%, significantly below his historical standards.

In June, Soler was placed on the injured list due to a left oblique strain, retroactive to the fourth of that month, and was reactivated on June 22 to return as a designated hitter.

This DFA comes during the final year of Soler's contract with Los Angeles, which includes a base salary of $13 million for 2026, part of a three-year, $42 million deal originally signed with the San Francisco Giants.

Soler joined the Angels on October 31, 2024, in a trade with the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher Griffin Canning, with the organization taking on the remaining contract.

The Cuban slugger is considered one of the most powerful hitters of his generation in Major League Baseball. His peak came during the 2021 World Series when he was named MVP after leading the Braves to the title with three home runs and a .300 average over six games, becoming the second Cuban to win that honor following Liván Hernández with the Marlins in 1997.

This Tuesday also marks the memory of an incident in April 2026 when Soler was involved in a confrontation with Dominican pitcher Reynaldo López during a game between the Braves and the Angels, resulting in his ejection after being hit by a pitch following a home run.

As Soler's future remains uncertain, he awaits interest from any franchise that might seek his services, which could be a pivotal moment for the continuation of his Major League career.