The Los Angeles Angels are planning to keep veteran Raul Ibanez around even as some tough roster decisions will be coming.
Soon the Angels will have David Freese, Kole Calhoun, Josh Hamilton and Ian Stewart return. Since they have landed on the disabled list Grant Green, Efren Navarro and C.J. Cron have all played well in their place. Still someone in that trio is expected to get the boot instead of the slumping Ibanez.
“One of the real benefits about where we’re at right now is just the fact that we have unmasked some depth, and once you start peeling depth away, it’s not there anymore,” Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said via the teams official website. “Raul has a track record. He has done this before. He has gone through cold spells, and he has gotten hot. There’s nobody here who believes Raul has had his last good days in the big leagues.”
In 36 games this season Ibanez is hitting .148/.268/.269 (53 OPS+) with three home runs and 20 RBI.
