Angels' Yoan Moncada out, taking U.S. citizenship test

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada missed Wednesday night's home game against the Tampa Bay Rays because he's taking his United States citizenship test in Miami.

The Angels placed Moncada on the restricted list on Wednesday. The club is hopeful he will return on Thursday.

Moncada, 30, was born in Cuba. He left the country legally in 2014 and spent time in Guatemala before becoming eligible to join a major league team. He eventually signed with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in 2015.

Moncada is in his first season with the Angels. He is batting .221 with eight homers and 24 RBIs.

In parts of 10 big league campaigns, Moncada is batting .252 with 101 homers and 363 RBIs in 795 games with the Red Sox (2016), Chicago White Sox (2017-24) and Angels.

This is the second time in three seasons the Angels had a player go on the restricted list while working to become an American citizen. Eduardo Escobar earned his citizenship in late June of the 2023 season. Escobar was born in Venezuela.

Los Angeles recalled outfielder Niko Kavadas from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. The 26-year-old went 0-for-1 for the Angels earlier this season and was batting .228 with 21 homers and 66 RBIs in 102 games at Triple-A Salt Lake.

--Field Level Media