3-Time All-Star Ends Retirement, Joins LA Angels

 

He hasn't played in the big leagues since retiring after 2020, but as a three-time All-Star, former New York Met, Washington National and Colorado Rockie infielder Daniel Murphy might still have something to offer, and the Los Angeles Angels are giving him a shot. 

The Angels have signed Daniel Murphy, who was playing for the Long Island Ducks, to a minor league contract, per @LIDucksGM

Murphy last played in the majors for the 2020 Rockies pic.twitter.com/zMP3Ck42xC

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 12, 2023

Murphy has been signed to a minor league deal by the Halos. He's been showing this season with the independent league Long Island Ducks that he can still handle the bat, hitting .331 with a .410 on-base and .861 OPS.  

The now-38-year-old had retired after the 2020 season and didn't play organized ball for the past two years until giving it another shot in the Atlantic League this year. 

Murphy will start with the Salt Lake Bees in Triple-A https://t.co/0ZKBoLdH4C

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 12, 2023

Murphy will report to the Angels' Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees.

He has a career .296 average in the majors, highlighted by a 2016 All-Star season that saw him bat .347 with 25 homers, 104 RBIs and an NL-leading .985 OPS for the Nationals; he even finished runner-up in MVP balloting that season. 

The Angels have a mixed-bag in the infield, with the likes of  Jared Walsh, Gio Urshela, Brandon Drury and Luis Rengifo all seeing at-bats. Murphy can play any of 1B, 2B or 3B, so if he can continue to hit at AAA, he should get a call to LA.