Angels Select Logan Porter to Add Backup Catching Depth After Sebastian Rivero Injury

The Los Angeles Angels are set to select catcher Logan Porter’s contract to the major-league roster, a move expected to provide immediate depth behind starting catcher Logan O’Hoppe. Porter, 30, had been in the Angels organization only briefly after signing a minor league deal, and he had not yet appeared in a game for Triple-A Salt Lake before the call-up process was set in motion.

According to reporting from Ari Alexander of 7News, the Angels’ decision was driven by an injury that sidelined backup catcher Sebastian Rivero during the previous game. The report described Rivero’s exit as an apparent hand injury, leaving Los Angeles short on ready catching options and prompting a quick selection from within the organization.

Porter’s path to Anaheim this time was shaped by his free-agent choice. After being outrighted by the San Francisco Giants, he elected to sign with the Angels rather than accept an assignment elsewhere. The Giants had previously rostered him for brief stints, and his major-league résumé includes time with multiple organizations, but his recent value has mostly been tied to what he’s done in the minors as a steady, backup-oriented catcher.

In parts of five Triple-A seasons, Porter has posted a.244/.359/.389 line, with the on-base profile standing out. MLB Trade Rumors also noted that he has walked at a strong rate in that span, a skill that fits the role teams often want from a catching replacement who can manage pitchers and provide an offense-neutral presence. On the defensive side, the same reporting said Porter has thrown out about 22% of runners attempting to steal in the minors and has produced generally credible framing and blocking marks, per Baseball Prospectus.

For the Angels, Porter’s selection matters because catching has been unusually fluid in 2026. MLB Trade Rumors reported that Los Angeles has already used four different catchers this season, and Porter would become the fifth if the selection is completed as expected. That matters not for any playoff headline this week, but for day-to-day roster management, bullpen usage, and the workload distribution for pitchers who rely on stable game-calling from behind the plate.

There is also a roster math component. The Angels will need to open a major-league roster spot and a corresponding spot on the 40-man roster for Porter. While that is typically routine for a team making a short-term catching emergency move, it can affect options for other players, especially if Rivero’s availability changes over the next few days.

Looking ahead, the Angels will be watching two parallel questions: how long Rivero is expected to be out after the apparent hand injury, and how quickly Porter can bridge into a functional backup role without disrupting O’Hoppe’s receiving plans. If Rivero’s absence extends, Porter could see more starts than a typical reserve catcher. If Rivero returns quickly, Porter’s time on the active roster could be brief, but his presence would still report how Los Angeles is trying to protect itself against recurring catching volatility.