The Los Angeles Angels surprisingly released outfielder Mickey Moniak on Tuesday.

Moniak was the No. 1 overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016. He was acquired by the Angels in a trade for right-hander Noah Syndergaard at the 2022 trade deadline.

Moniak displayed promise in 2023 when he batted .280 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs in 85 games. But last season, his average dropped to .219 and he had 14 homers and 49 RBIs in a career-high 124 games.

He batted just .192 with two homers and nine RBIs in 52 at-bats during spring training.

Moniak, 26, won a $2 million salary for this season in arbitration. According to MLB.com, the Angels will owe him $484,000.

The move apparently opens a spot on the Opening Day roster for 23-year-old outfielder Matthew Lugo. The Angels acquired him at last summer’s trading deadline from the Boston Red Sox.

Moniak has a .230 average with 32 homers and 105 RBIs in 275 games with the Phillies (2020-22) and Angels.

The Angels open the season Thursday against the host Chicago White Sox.

–Field Level Media