The Los Angeles Angels non-tendered outfielder Gustavo Campero and catcher Sebastián Rivero ahead of Friday's deadline, while offering contracts to all six arbitration-eligible players. This move comes as the team seeks outfield depth following a trade. Campero's release surprises some after his expected role in providing coverage.
On Friday, the Angels made key roster decisions by tendering contracts to their six players eligible for salary arbitration: left-handed reliever Brock Burke, outfielder Jo Adell, left-hander Reid Detmers, right-hander José Soriano, catcher Logan O'Hoppe, and shortstop Zach Neto. However, the team chose not to tender offers to pre-arbitration players Gustavo Campero and Sebastián Rivero, effectively making them free agents.
The non-tender of 28-year-old outfielder Campero stood out, particularly after the Angels traded left fielder Taylor Ward to the Orioles earlier. Campero had been viewed as a potential source of outfield depth but faced challenges at the major league level, posting a .202/.272/.346 slash line across 41 games over the past two seasons, including four home runs, 14 RBIs, and seven stolen bases. His 2025 campaign ended prematurely on August 11 due to a severe ankle injury sustained while attempting to rob a home run against the right-field fence. Recently, Campero appeared in the Dominican Winter League for Toros del Este, where he batted .111 with one home run and two RBIs in 11 games.
The Angels' current outfield features Mike Trout, Jorge Soler, Bryce Teodosio, and Adell, with additional options from Matthew Lugo and Kyren Paris. The organization remains in pursuit of a true center fielder, ideally a left-handed hitter, as prospect Nelson Rada—ranked No. 7 by MLB Pipeline—is not yet prepared for a major league role.
For Rivero, the 27-year-old catcher stepped up late in the season amid concussions to O'Hoppe and Travis d'Arnaud. In 11 games, he recorded a .182 batting average, two doubles, and two RBIs.