Former New York Mets Great Signed by Angels

He's close to getting back to the big-leagues.

Former New York Mets great Daniel Murphy has signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

Murphy will report to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, per Jon Heyman of The New York Post.

Murphy had been playing for the Long Island Ducks in the Independent Atlantic League before having his contract selected by the Angels on Monday.

The move was announced by Long Island Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff on Twitter.

Transaction: The @Angels have purchased the contract of infielder Daniel Murphy. Taking his spot on @LIDucks roster will be infielder Ruben Tejada, who will he activated prior to tomorrow’s (Tues., 6/13) game vs @dirtybirdscwv - congrats Murph and welcome aboard Ruben!
— Michael Pfaff (@LIDucksPrez) June 12, 2023

Replacing Murphy on the Ducks' roster is another former Met in Rueben Tejada.

Although Murphy announced his retirement in January 2021, he launched a comeback in March of 2023. During his time with the Ducks, Murphy slashed .331/.410/.451 in 37 games, while splitting time between first base and second base.

Murphy has not appeared in the major leagues since the covid-shortened 2020 season. Prior to the 2019 campaign, he signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Rockies. In 2019, Murphy slashed .279/.328/.452 with a 88 wRC+, but in 2020, his numbers fell off a cliff: .236/.275/.333 with a 44 wRC+.

Murphy spent a total of eight seasons with the Mets, making the All-Star team in 2014 and winning NLCS MVP in 2015. He is best known for his heroics in the 2015 postseason, helping lead the Mets to the World Series.

He went on to sign a three-year deal with the Washington Nationals, in which he won two Silver Slugger Awards and was an All-Star in back-to-back seasons from 2016 to 2017.

Now, at age-38, Murphy will attempt to make it back to the major leagues with the Angels.