Valbuena tragically passed away after being involved in a car accident Thursday in Venezuela, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena played with the Mariners, Indians, Cubs, Astros and Angels over 11 major-league seasons and was only 33 years old.

Valbuena was released by the Angels on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Unsurprisingly, no team wanted to claim a 32-year-old who hasn't reached the Mendoza line in two seasons. Rather than pay Valbuena to take up a spot on their Triple-A roster, the Angels elected to pay him to leave the organization entirely. Valbuena has done enough earlier in his career for him to latch on somewhere on a minor-league deal, but he's unlikely to make a significant fantasy impact unless he makes an unexpected turnaround.

The Angels designated Valbuena for assignment Sunday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the Angels needing to clear a roster spot for their starting pitcher Sunday against the Indians (Deck McGuire), Valbuena was the chosen casualty in light of his season-long struggles at the dish. Though the lefty-hitting corner man has been an asset against right-handed pitching for most of his career, Valbuena has delivered a porous .196/.246/.330 batting line (54 wRC+) in those matchups this season. It seems unlikely that any team would be willing to trade for Valbuena or put in a waiver claim for him with the 32-year-old carrying an $8 million base salary for 2018, so it's expected that he'll remain with the Angels organization and accept a minor-league assignment in order to collect the remaining money he's owed.

Valbuena will sit for the second straight game Saturday against Cleveland, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

The trade of Ian Kinsler seemed to open up playing time for Valbuena, with David Fletcher sliding over from third base to second. Instead, it's been Kaleb Cowart who's started three straight games at third. Valbuena figures to fill in occasionally at various spots, but his .199/.253/.335 season line certainly doesn't demand more playing time.

Valbuena is not in the lineup against the Indians on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena will take a seat in favor of Kaleb Cowart at third base for the series opener. Across 95 games this year, Valbuena has hit just .199/.251/.335 with nine home runs and 33 RBI.

Valbuena could regain regular playing time following Ian Kinsler's trade to the Red Sox on Monday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

David Fletcher -- who overtook Valbuena at third base -- figures to fill in for Kinsler at the keystone, opening up a path to regular playing time for Valbuena at the hot corner. The Angels could call up another infielder to compete for playing time prior to Tuesday's contest against the Rays, but the slugging infielder figures to be the main beneficiary at this point. Valbuena has struggled to the tune of a .202/.254/.340 slash line this season, but he possesses just enough pop (31 homers in 684 plate appearances over the last two years) to draw deep-league interest if he starts against righties.

Valbuena was not in the starting lineup for the third consecutive game, going 0-for-1 off the bench in Saturday's win over Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

With Shohei Ohtani and Albert Pujols returning from their respective DL stints recently, the Angels had to make a decision regarding who their starting third baseman would be between Valbuena and rookie David Fletcher. The latter appears to have won the position battle after starting all three of the Halos' contests since Pujols' return (two of which have come against right-handed starters). Valbuena and his .203/.255/.341 slash line will be relegated to the bench, eliminating whatever fantasy value he had in a semi-regular role.

Valbuena went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI, two walks, a strikeout and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The stolen base was his third of the season, already setting a new career-high mark in that department. The 32-year-old has been mired in a months-long slump, slashing just .163/.198/.314 in June followed by a .152/.263/.242 mark in July. He'll ride the pine against left-handed starters and if his struggles continue, he may start sitting against righties with more regularity as well.

Valbuena is not in the lineup against the White Sox on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena will take a seat after going 1-for-4 with one RBI and a run scored during Sunday's game versus Houston. In his place, David Fletcher will man third base and bat ninth.

Valbuena is out of the lineup against Houston on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Valbuena will take a seat with left-hander Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the Astros. In his place, David Fletcher will man third base and Jefry Marte will get the start at first.