Willie Calhoun, formerly of the Texas Rangers, has inked a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. An invitation to Major League spring training is part of the deal. With this move, Calhoun is reunited with Ron Washington, the former Rangers manager who was just recruited by the Angels. Despite never having the chance to play under Washington while with the Rangers, Calhoun will now get the chance.

Calhoun was a player with the New York Yankees in 2021. He slashed 239/.309/.403/.712 with five home runs and sixteen RBI in 44 games. Calhoun was the Yankees’ short-term starter due to injuries to their outfield, which included Aaron Judge. On July 31, he was elected to free agency after being sent outright to Triple-A.

In 2017, the Rangers acquired Calhoun through a trade deadline deal. Calhoun was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at that time for Yu Darvish. Calhoun has had a batting average of.240 his whole career. In 83 games, he hit.269 with 21 home runs and 48 RBI in 2019, which was his breakout season. But there have been persistent issues, including injuries and uneven at-bat performance. Calhoun sustained a fracture to his left ulna in August 2021.

Calhoun was sent to Triple-A Round Rock in 2022 after losing the Rangers’ trust. He stated that, while still a minor, he intended to be traded. But the Rangers failed to attract a suitor, and on June 10, they released him. Following that, Calhoun signed with the San Francisco Giants, where he currently plays for Sacramento, the team’s Triple-A affiliate. In September, he did indeed play for the Giants for a week before being assigned.