MLB.com

By Doug Miller / MLB.com

"We'd reached the point where enough was enough," GM Bill Stoneman said. (Chris Carlson/AP)

The Angels cut him loose because he failed to show up for several prescribed rehabilitation sessions for his injured right quadriceps since June 17.

According to a team press release, "This action was inconsistent with the Club's right and his obligations under the Basic Agreement and Uniform Player's Contract, thus constituting a breach of contract. After repeated warnings regarding Mondesi's failure to perform rehabilitation and a suspension (June 19-21) for an unauthorized leave of absence, the club has decided to terminate his contract."

Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said he spoke with Mondesi's agent, Jeff Moorad, on Thursday and Friday and was under the impression that Moorad was unaware of Mondesi's discretions.

Stoneman also said he didn't know where Mondesi was but assumed he was in his native Dominican Republic.

"We'd reached the point where enough was enough," Stoneman said. "He had an obligation to show up and try to get better. We reached the point where we realized his commitment wasn't at the same point that ours was."

This is the second time this season Mondesi has had a contract terminated by a Major League team.

In late April, Mondesi, then a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, said he would sit out the rest of the season to fight a lawsuit filed against him by Mario Guerrero, a former player who alleged that he deserved about $650,000 -- 1 percent of his earnings -- for teaching Mondesi how to play baseball while growing up in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic.

Mondesi did not travel to Denver for a series against the Colorado Rockies, so the Pirates placed him on the restricted list. Then he didn't show up for a series opener against the Padres and was waived for a breach of contract.

Mondesi signed with the Angels on May 29 because the Angels were unsure about the return of center fielder Garret Anderson, who ended up being out 42 games with a mysterious upper back and neck ailment that was later diagnosed as an early form of arthritis.

But Mondesi played only eight games for the Angels before tearing his quadriceps during a 17-inning game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"It's disappointing," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Raul didn't have the same commitment we had, and we'd thought he was going to be committed to getting his leg back to where it needed to be. An injury like that takes an incredible amount of commitment to get back to play.

"Evidently, he wasn't going to follow up on that."

Moreno wraps up Unit talk: Angels owner Arte Moreno said Friday he wasn't upset that the Angels weren't able to land left-hander Randy Johnson in a trade.

Moreno, a former part-owner of Johnson's team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, is a huge fan of Johnson's.

But he said the Angels were ultimately unwilling to part with a significant amount of prospects, and it was reported that the Diamondbacks were interested in at least two and possibly more of the Angels' prized minor leaguers, including Triple-A first baseman Casey Kotchman, Triple-A third baseman Dallas McPherson, Double-A catcher Jeff Mathis and Double-A starter Ervin Santana.

"We were a little bit stuck," Moreno said. "We have a commitment to the minor league system in the organization. Randy's in his twilight, but he's as good as it gets. Sometimes after you do a deal it can kiss you in the cheek and it can kick you in the butt."

Moreno said he's happy for the Dodgers if they get Johnson.

"I think it's great that Randy's coming to this market," Moreno said. "I'm not trying to compete against the Dodgers. I'm trying to compete against Oakland and Texas."

Nothing imminent: Stoneman was asked about possible deals before Saturday's trading deadline and he said nothing was imminent, but that "there's always a chance something might happen. We've had a lot of talks."

Stoneman reiterated his claim that he's satisfied with the team as it is right now.

"We will determine our own destiny as far as how well we play," Stoneman said. "We've got to play better and if we do, we'll run off a string of wins and be right there."

Moreno said he agreed with Stoneman's assessment.

"There are 60 games left and we're 3 1/2 games out," Moreno said. "That's not bad."

Changeups: Chone Figgins got a regularly scheduled day off to stay fresh Friday, according to Scioscia. Robb Quinlan started at third base, with Curtis Pride making his first start for the Angels in center field. Anderson played designated hitter as the Angels try to ease him back into his regular position in center as he recovers from a strained right groin.

Doug Miller is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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