Angels Release Veteran Infielder Despite Lack of Depth

The Angels announced their first round of spring training roster cuts on Sunday. While the list was short on surprises, the Angels wasted no time clarifying one of their key position battles.

Veteran Richie Martin won't grab the reserve infielder's job out of camp. Martin, 29, was released from his minor league contract with more than three weeks to go before Opening Day.

Martin batted 10 times in Cactus League play, struck out five times and had one hit, a single.

Non-roster invitees Hunter Dozier, Ehire Adrianza and Miguel Sano remain in the running for the job along with Michael Stefanic, Kyren Paris and Livan Soto.

Among those players, only Adrianza brings substantial major league experience at shortstop, where the Angels are looking to 23-year-old Zach Neto to hold down the fort in 2024.

The Oakland A's took Martin in the first round of the 2015 draft. He went on to enjoy three seasons in the major leagues (2019, 2021-22) with the Baltimore Orioles. 

In 170 career games, Martin has compiled a .212 with a .261 on-base percentage and .311 slugging percentage, along with 13 stolen bases in 17 attempts.

Martin spent all of 2023 with the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, batting .217 with a .329 OBP and .314 slugging percentage.

The Angels signed Martin to a minor league contract in January. By releasing him so early in camp, the Detroit native will ideally have more time to latch on with another organization.