Trey Mancini Makes Emotional Return to MLB as Denzer Guzman Joins Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Trey Mancini has had a tumultuous journey over the past three years, questioning his future in baseball at times. After being designated for assignment by the Cubs in 2023, Mancini found himself with four different teams and out of the majors until now. On Monday, the Los Angeles Angels announced they were selecting his contract, allowing him to step back into the lineup against the Astros, marking his first big league game since July 31, 2023.

"It's pretty surreal," Mancini expressed about his return. "It's been a long time, and I felt so far removed from being in this position for the big part of the last three years. So it's pretty emotional. It's kind of like getting called up for the first time all over again."

After his designation by the Cubs, Mancini struggled with self-doubt and contemplated retiring from the sport. Although he participated in spring training with the Marlins the following year, he did not make the final roster and opted out of Triple-A, hoping for another opportunity that never materialized. He sat out the entire 2024 season, further questioning his career. However, a message from Brady Anderson, now the Angels' hitting coach, reignited Mancini’s passion for the game. "He's the one that got me back into baseball," Mancini noted, reflecting on their connection.

Mancini eventually found his footing with the Diamondbacks in 2025, posting impressive numbers in Triple-A before opting out once more in search of a big league chance. This year, he returned to the Angels for spring training and excelled in Triple-A Salt Lake, batting .273 with an .841 OPS. Mancini credits a recent adjustment in his hand positioning for his improved performance, stating, "Just kind of preset my hands instead of them kind of like moving last second."

In addition to Mancini's return, the Angels have also recalled infielder Denzer Guzman, ranked as their No. 7 prospect. Manager Kurt Suzuki praised Guzman for his impressive spring training and performance in Triple-A, where he has a .336 batting average and a .974 OPS this season. Guzman aims to reduce his strikeouts, achieving a career-low rate through improved timing and balance. To accommodate both players, the Angels placed Vaughn Grissom and Adam Frazier on the injured list.