ANAHEIM — Reliever José Cisnero on Saturday to a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Angels.
A right-hander who turns 35 on April 11, Cisnero was 3-4 with two saves and a 5.31 ERA in 63 games for Detroit last season, striking out 70 and walking 25 in 59⅓ innings. He allowed a career-high 10 home runs, up from six in 2022.
Cisnero averaged 94.4 mph with his fastball, up from 93.4 mph in 2022 but down from 96.4 mph in 2019.
He is 13-17 with a 3.99 ERA in seven seasons with the Houston Astros (2013-14) and the Tigers (2019-23), striking out 275 and walking 130 in 259⅓ innings.
Cisnero had Tommy John surgery on May 28, 2014, then he pitched for Mexico’s Sultanes de Monterrey and the independent New Jersey Jackals in 2016.
A native of Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, Cisnero was originally signed by Houston as an international free agent in 2007.
Infielder Livan Soto was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. Soto made his major league debut in September 2022 and hit .400 (22 for 55) with one home run and nine RBIs in 18 games. He batted .222 (2 for 9) in four games with the Angels last May and June while hitting .237 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 110 games at Triple-A Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City.
