Angels activate Yunel Escobar's $7 million option

The Los Angeles Angels have exercised their $7 million option on Yunel Escobar, tying the third baseman to the team for the 2017 season.

Escobar, 34, batted .304 with five home runs and 39 RBIs in 2016, his first season with the Angels. He had a .355 on-base percentage batting out of the leadoff spot.

The Angels exercised their option on Escobar, whom they acquired in a trade with the Washington Nationals last offseason, instead of paying a $1 million buyout.

He has a .283 career batting average in 10 major league seasons.

Los Angeles also designated reliever Cory Rasmus for assignment and activated five pitchers from the 60-day disabled list: right-handed starters Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker and Nick Tropeano, left-hander Andrew Heaney, and closer Huston Street.

Rasmus repeatedly struggled with injuries while going 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA in 19 games last season, his fourth with the Angels.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.