Angels claim infielder Robel García off waivers from the Mets

The Angels on Wednesday claimed infielder Robel García off waivers from the Mets, adding some position player depth to their 40-man roster.

García, who turns 28 in March, played for Joe Maddon on the 2019 Cubs, hitting .208/.275/.500, a 93 wRC+ with five home runs in 80 plate appearances in 31 games. He played 18 of his 31 games in the majors at second base, plus five games in left field and one in right.

Maddon after a Cubs game in 2019 used a clip of Bette Middler singing “Rochelle, Rochelle” from ‘Seinfeld,’ but changed the tune to “Robel, Robel” to sing the infielder’s praises after a home run against St. Louis.

The switch-hitter spent the bulk of his 2020 at the Reds alternate training site after getting claimed off waivers by Cincinnati in the first week of the season. He was on the Reds’ active roster for one day last season but did not play. The Mets claimed García off waivers on October 26.

New York designated García for assignment on Monday.

García has one option year remaining, having used options in 2019 and 2020. He replenishes the Angels infield depth lost on Tuesday when Jahmai Jones was traded to Baltimore for pitcher Alex Cobb. García has played mostly second base and third base in the minors, plus time at shortstop and left field.

Adding García gives the Angels 39 players on their 40-man roster, with 17 position players (including Shohei Ohtani with this group) and 22 pitchers.