Los Angeles Angels Sign 8-Year Veteran Catcher

May 16, 2026 ,
Athletics catcher Austin Wynns scores run during 2025 game.

The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a minor league deal with catcher Austin Wynns, adding a veteran backstop to a catching depth chart that has been decimated by injuries.

Wynns cleared waivers and became a free agent Tuesday after the Athletics released him following his refusal to accept a Triple-A assignment.

As a player with more than five years of MLB service time, he had the right to decline the demotion.

He did.

The A's placed him on release waivers and he walked into a market that had exactly one team in urgent need of a catcher.

That team was the Angels.

Logan O'Hoppe, the Angels' primary catcher, fractured his left wrist and went on the 10-day injured list earlier this week.

Travis d'Arnaud, who was brought in specifically as veteran insurance, is also currently on the IL.

That leaves the Angels catching depth at essentially zero MLB-viable options, which is how a 35-year-old who batted .077 in 39 at-bats with the A's ends up signed within three days of becoming a free agent.

Wynns' 2026 season has been rough.

He opened the year with Oakland, appeared in 14 games, managed just three hits in 39 at-bats, and was designated for assignment when Shea Langeliers returned from the paternity list.

His .390/.429/.661 slash with the Reds in 63 plate appearances a year ago generated interest that has since faded entirely given the context behind those numbers, specifically a .513 batting average on balls in play that reflected unsustainable luck rather than a legit offensive awakening.

His career line of .231/.276/.347 across parts of eight big league seasons with the Orioles, Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, Reds, and now the A's is a more honest example of what he provides.

What he provides is adequate catching at the big league level when the alternative is a callup who is not ready.

Photo Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

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