Angels, Kevin Newman agree to 1-year deal worth $2.5 million

The Los Angeles Angels and infielder Kevin Newman agreed to a one-year $2.5 million contract with a club option for 2026, the team announced Thursday.

The option also would be worth $2.5 million and carries a $250,000 buyout should the team decline it.

Catcher Matt Thaiss was designated for assignment to free a space on the 40-man roster. The Angels agreed to a two-year deal with catcher Travis d'Arnaud earlier this week.

Newman is in line to be the Angels' starting shortstop to open next season while Zach Neto misses time after surgery performed last week on his right shoulder. Neto sustained the injury while sliding in a game against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 26, with no exact timetable for his return.

Newman, 31, batted .278 with 17 doubles, three homers and 28 RBIs in 111 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season.

He is a career .262 hitter with 26 homers and 199 RBIs in 616 career games with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2018-22), Cincinnati Reds (2023) and Diamondbacks.