TEMPE, Ariz. — Jeimer Candelario has been here before.

The 32-year-old infielder has seen his career rise and fall, so he’s no stranger to being in a major league camp with something to prove.

“I’m always working toward being consistent, producing,” Candelario said. “When I’m consistent and producing and putting my body and my mental side in the right position, I feel like I can do damage early in the game. That’s what I’m focusing on right now.”

Candelario fits in perfectly with the theme of the Angels’ Camp Comeback. They brought him in on a minor league deal, risking nothing in the hopes that he can be the player he was a couple of years ago.

Candelario is hitting .333 (8 for 24) with an 1.137 OPS in Cactus League games. He has four doubles, a triple and a home run. He also hit another homer in a game against Italy that doesn’t count in the official statistics.

“I think he’s been looking really good,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “His left-handed swing has been outstanding. He controls the strike zone and his decision-making has been great. He’s been fun to watch.”

If Candelario can revive his career with the Angels, it would be the second time.

He was with the Detroit Tigers when he first established himself as an everyday player. In 2020 and 2021, he hit a combined .278 with a .356 on-base percentage and an .814 OPS. He hit a major league-leading 42 doubles in 2021.

But in 2022, he slumped so badly at the end of the season that the Tigers non-tendered him. The Washington Nationals signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal.

Candelario hit 16 homers with an .823 OPS in the first four months of 2023, and he was one of the best hitters to change hands at the trade deadline. He finished that season with the Chicago Cubs and parlayed that success into a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

By the middle of 2025, Candelario was again struggling so much that the Reds released him, still owing him half of that contract. The New York Yankees gave him a shot at Triple-A but never called him up.

A back injury contributed to his trouble last season.

“You always play with something in the big leagues, especially when you have years and years,” Candelario said. “You have to deal with that. You have to work hard to be in a good position to help the team win.”

Candelario said he feels “good” now.

This winter, he was again looking for a shot, and the Angels offered a minor-league deal. Most of Candelario’s $13 million salary in 2026 will be paid by the Reds, with the Angels just paying the big league minimum if they keep him.

Halfway through the Cactus League schedule, he’s showing that he could be worth a roster spot with the Angels.

Candelario is primarily a third baseman, but he can also play first. He could be a backup for oft-injured Yoán Moncada at third, and he could back up Nolan Schanuel at first. He’s also a switch-hitter, giving the Angels some more balance.

His 24% strikeout rate over the past three years is slightly more than the major league average, but he also has an 8% walk rate, which is average.

Candelario would also provide some value for his clubhouse presence and his influence on the young players.

“That’s part of my life, to try to have good vibes,” Candelario said. “Be positive. This game is really tough, so we can’t put pressure on each other. We have to support each other and pick each other up. I think that makes a good team.”

WBC WATCHING

Angels prospects Najer Victor and Sam Aldegheri had encouraging performances in the World Baseball Classic this weekend.

Victor, who pitched for Great Britain, struck out Team USA’s Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony. His fastball averaged 97 mph and he got whiffs on seven of his 11 sliders.

Victor, 24, was the Angels’ 14th-round draft pick in 2024.

“I’ve seen him pitch a few times already this spring before he left and, I mean, this guy was electric last night,” Suzuki said.

Aldegheri, pitching for Italy, struck out eight in 4⅓ scoreless innings against Brazil. Suzuki said he was impressed with Aldegheri’s work in Arizona, before the WBC.

“He looks in great shape,” Suzuki said. “Good changeup. Throwing strikes.”

TROUT’S SPEED

Mike Trout has recorded sprint speeds of 29.9 and 30.0 feet per second this spring, which are both faster than anything that he’d run since before he suffered his knee injury in April 2024.

Although Trout did say last week that he had “more in the tank” and would get to 30 this spring, Suzuki doesn’t think he’s pushing himself too hard in meaningless spring games.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t think he’s trying,” Suzuki said. “I don’t think he’s trying to hit that 30 mark. I think Mike is just in a great place physically, mentally, and everything is just coming out.”

Suzuki then referred to an old adage: “If you try to play carefully, that’s when you get hurt.”

Trout’s condition is a key part of the question of whether he can play center field, which is his preference. Suzuki said he’s not ready to commit to Trout in the regular season, even though he’s satisfied with what he’s seen so far.

“I think you let spring keep going and see how everything progresses,” Suzuki said. “See how our roster shapes up, and on March 26 we’ll put the best team that we feel gives us a chance to win.”

NOTES

Right-hander José Soriano will return to the rotation for a start on Monday. Soriano missed his previous start because of an illness. …

Left-hander Mitch Farris will start on Tuesday against the Padres. Farris has opened eyes this spring by increasing his fastball velocity from 90 to 93 mph.