Angels Agree to One-Year Deal with Tyler Heineman, Bring Back Sammy Peralta

The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $1,237,500 contract with catcher Tyler Heineman for the 2027 season, the club announced Friday. The Angels also signed left-hander Sammy Peralta to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Heineman joined the Angels in June when they acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations. Toronto had designated him for assignment, and Los Angeles needed catching depth after injuries to Travis d’Arnaud and Sebastian Rivero.

Heineman batted .192 with four RBIs in 99 at-bats for the Angels. He finished the season with a .175 average, one home run and 10 RBIs in 177 at-bats between Toronto and Los Angeles, according to MLB.com.

The Angels acquired Heineman for his defense and experience behind the plate. His production at the plate fell off from 2025, when he hit .289 with a .361 on-base percentage and a .416 slugging percentage for Toronto. The new deal keeps a veteran catcher in the organization who already has experience working with the Angels’ pitching staff.

Peralta returns about two weeks after the Angels outrighted him to Triple-A Salt Lake and he elected free agency. The spring training invitation gives him another chance to compete for a bullpen job.

The 28-year-old made 16 appearances between the Angels and Colorado Rockies in 2026, posting a 6.65 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 23 innings. Fourteen of those outings came with Los Angeles, where he had a 6.20 ERA in 20 1/3 innings.

Peralta made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2023. He has appeared in 46 big league games, recording a 5.64 ERA and 60 strikeouts over 68 2/3 innings. With the Angels last season, he struck out 19 and walked seven.

The two moves address different parts of the roster. Heineman gives the Angels an experienced option behind Logan O’Hoppe after injuries forced them to look outside the organization for catching help last summer. Peralta gives them a left-hander who has already pitched for the club and will get a chance to earn his way back into the bullpen in camp.