Trey Mancini Makes Major League Return with Angels After Battling Cancer

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Trey Mancini, the Los Angeles Angels' first baseman and a cancer survivor, stepped back onto the major league field for the first time since 2023 during a game against the Houston Astros on Monday night. The Angels brought Mancini into the lineup at first base following the placement of infielders Vaughn Grissom and Adam Frazier on the 10-day injured list due to injuries.

The 34-year-old Mancini signed a minor league contract with the Angels in February, which included an invitation to participate in major league spring training. This season, he demonstrated his skills at the Triple-A level with Salt Lake, posting a batting average of .273 alongside six home runs, 29 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Over his seven-year career in the majors, Mancini has maintained a .263 batting average, with 129 home runs and 400 RBIs. He notably spent six seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, hitting a career-high 29 homers in 2019. Mancini faced a significant health challenge in 2020 when he underwent surgery for colon cancer but made a successful comeback in 2021. He also celebrated a World Series championship in 2022 after being traded to the Houston Astros.

Before joining the Angels, Mancini played part of the 2023 season with the Chicago Cubs and had stints in the minor leagues with the Reds, Marlins, and Diamondbacks. He opted out of a minor league contract with Arizona last July after an impressive run, hitting .308 with 16 home runs for Triple-A Reno.

In addition to Mancini's promotion, the Angels recalled infielder Denzer Guzman from Triple-A Salt Lake and transferred Yoán Moncada to the 60-day injured list due to ongoing health issues.