Angels put five veterans on waivers (source)

PHILADELPHIA — The Angels placed veterans Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Reynaldo Lopez, Hunter Renfro and Randall Grischuk on waivers on Tuesday, meaning they could be claimed by other clubs on Thursday. However, the team did not confirm the news, as the waiver process is supposed to be confidential.

Angels also can’t get anything in return, because no trades can be made after the August 1 deadline. But it would give them a bit of a salary break and also allow veterans to transfer to opposing teams. The order of selection is determined by the reverse order of the MLB standings, and the club claiming the player is responsible for the player’s salary for the remainder of the season.

The five players, who are eligible for free agency after the season, will remain on the active roster through Wednesday’s game against the Phillies. Giolito, who allowed five runs in ​5.2 innings pitched in a 6-4 loss Monday, and Lopez were acquired from the White Sox before a deadline, while the Angels added Grichuk in a trade to the Rockies on July 30. Renfrew and Moore signed one-year contracts last season.

Renfro earns $11.9 million this year, Julito $10.4 million, Grischuk $10.33 million, Moore $7.55 million and Lopez $3.6 million. If all five players are claimed, the Angels will save just over $7 million in the final month of the season.

This also indicates that the Angels are ready to play with their youngsters the rest of the way, as they are essentially out of contention for the postseason. Phenomenon Shuhei Ohtani will miss the rest of the season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow on Wednesday, and fellow star player Mike Trout was placed on the disabled list for the second time on Wednesday after undergoing surgery on his left hand on July 5.

Giolito, 29, has a 4.45 ERA in 27 starts this season, including a 6.89 ERA in six games with the Angels. He has a 4.35 ERA in eight major league seasons and a 3.97 ERA in two postseason starts.

Moore was the club’s MVP, with a 2.30 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched. The 34-year-old has a 4.36 ERA in 12 years and a 3.33 ERA in five postseason games (three starts).

The 29-year-old Lopez is also having a strong 2023, posting a 3.86 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched.

Renfro, 31, hits .239/.300/.425 with 18 home runs, 30 doubles and 52 RBIs in 124 games in 2023. He bats.240/.300/.480 in eight seasons.

Grichuk has fared well with the Rockies this year, hitting .308/.365/.496 in 64 games. But he struggled with the Angels, hitting . 140 with three homers and seven RBIs in 26 games.