Phillies Claim Carlos Hernández, DFA Tyler Phillips

Mickey Moniak, the former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick, has been released by the Los Angeles Angels just before the regular season. Moniak struggled in his MLB career, particularly with injuries and inconsistent performance, despite showing promise with a career-high .280 batting average in 2023. He was acquired by the Angels from the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022 but never fully lived up to expectations, finishing his time in LA with a .242 batting average. In light of his release, the Angels may provide opportunities for other prospects, including Matthew Lugo and Kyren Paris. Additionally, the Philadelphia Phillies have claimed reliever Carlos Hernández off waivers from the Royals, aiming to bolster their bullpen ahead of the season, while designating Tyler Phillips for assignment. Hernández, known for his high-velocity fastball, has had a mixed career but showed improvement in the previous season with a 3.30 ERA.