Angels, Newman agree to 1-year, $2.5M deal

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

The deal also includes a $2.5-million club option for 2026 with a $250,000 buyout.

Newman spent last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting .278/.311/.375 with 17 doubles and eight steals in 111 games.

The 31-year-old is a versatile defender who amassed 10 defensive runs saved across five different positions for the D-Backs last season.

Newman should provide the Angels with a stopgap at shortstop after the club announced Zach Neto underwent shoulder surgery last week. General manager Perry Minasian said Neto could miss the start of the season, but the timetable isn't firm.

"He had a surgery a couple days ago, and I'm not one for timeframes, but he could miss the start of the season," Minasian said of Neto, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger.

"We'll see where that goes. But he did have the surgery on the shoulder. I can't get into details. But he will miss some time. And how much time, we'll see."

Los Angeles designated catcher Matt Thaiss for assignment to open up a roster spot for Newman.

The Angels have been busy this offseason, trading for slugger Jorge Soler and depth piece Scott Kingery. They also signed veteran starter Kyle Hendricks and catcher Travis d'Arnaud and claimed first baseman Ryan Noda off waivers from the Athletics.