Angels Sign Pitcher to One-Year Deal With 2026 Option

The Los Angeles Angels and left-handed pitcher José Quijada agreed to a one-year, $1.075 million contract Tuesday, according to the club's public relations team.
The deal also includes a $3.75 million club option for 2026.
With the two sides coming to an agreement, the Angels and Quijada avoid an arbitration hearing. The lefty, who made $840,000 in 2024, filed at $1.14 million and the Angels filed at $975,000.
With Quijada’s contract settled, the Angels have addressed one of their three remaining cases. Infielder Luis Rengifo is seeking a $5.95 million salary, while the team has offered $5.8 million. Meanwhile, outfielder Mickey Moniak filed for $2 million, with the team countering at $1.5 million.
The Angels avoided an arbitration hearing with José Quijada. https://t.co/T5a5SgaUuZ
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) January 21, 2025
After returning from Tommy John surgery in July of the 2024 season, Quijada appeared in 22 games.
By the end of August of last season, Quijada appeared to be on track for a solid finish to the second half of the year. He had a 1.50 ERA through his first 13 games and lefties were 1-for-15 with seven strikeouts against him.
Quijada was slowly regaining his velocity too. His fastball was averaging 93.7 mph during the first few games, which was down from 94.4 mph before surgery. However, he climbed up to 96 mph as he became more comfortable.
“I think that for him to do what he’s doing with essentially one pitch right now, it’s pretty special,” pitching coach Barry Enright said of Quijada in late August. “If we can just get him comfortable in more game play, and add a small little wrinkle from time to time, it potentially might just make him even better.”
The 29-year-old pitched in 22 games during the 2024 season, compiling a 2-2 record with a 3.26 ERA (19.1 IP, 7 ER) and 24 strikeouts. He held opponents to a .190 batting average (12-for-63) and recorded seven holds. Notably, Quijada delivered 17 scoreless outings, including a career-best streak of 12 consecutive scoreless appearances from Aug. 14 to Sept. 18.
Over five seasons with the Angels, Quijada has made 106 relief appearances, tallying 128 strikeouts and seven saves. In 2023, he represented Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Before joining the Angels, Quijada debuted with the Marlins in 2019, having originally signed with Miami as an international free agent in 2013.