PHILADELPHIA -- Given that the waiver process is supposed to be confidential, it created a bit of an awkward situation for the Angels on Tuesday when six of their players found out they had been placed on waivers before their 12-7 loss to the Phillies.

Veterans Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Reynaldo López, Hunter Renfroe, Randal Grichuk and Dominic Leone were the ones placed on waivers, which means if they are claimed by other clubs before Thursday, they would be eligible to participate in the postseason.

The Angels, who can’t confirm anything given the confidential nature of waivers, also can’t receive anything in return, because trades can’t be made after the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. But the moves would give them some salary relief -- and likely get them under the luxury tax after going over because of their acquisitions ahead of the Trade Deadline -- while allowing those veterans to latch on with a contending team.

• How do waivers work?

If all six players are claimed, it would save the Halos a little more than $7 million over the final month of the season. The waiver order is determined by the reverse order of the MLB standings, and the claiming club is responsible for the salary of the player for the rest of the season.

“It’s kind of one of those crazy things, because I know it normally doesn’t get leaked,” Grichuk said. “It’s usually behind the scenes. I don’t really know what happened or why.”

The six players, who are all eligible for free agency after the season and all of whom have postseason experience, will remain on the Angels' active roster through Wednesday’s game against the Phillies, ahead of Thursday’s off-day. Grichuk and Renfroe played on Tuesday, as Grichuk went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homer and four runs scored, while Renfroe went 0-for-3 with a walk. Luis Rengifo, who could see action in the outfield if Renfroe and/or Grichuk are claimed, also went 3-for-4 with two solo homers.

“It’s front-office decisions that don’t affect our room,” said manager Phil Nevin. “It was just business as usual. I thought we played good baseball for five innings, but it got away from us.”

Giolito, who gave up five runs over 5 2/3 innings in Monday’s 6-4 loss, and López were both acquired from the White Sox ahead of the Trade Deadline, while the Halos acquired Grichuk in a trade with the Rockies on July 30. Renfroe was acquired Nov. 23 in a trade with the Brewers, and Moore signed a one-year deal on Feb. 16. The Angels added Leone from the Mets on Aug. 1.

Moore said he found out he was on waivers as he was coming off the field after his pregame work, and he thought it was a joke after a teammate showed him the news. ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news that five Angels were placed on waivers before USA Today’s Bob Nightengale added that Leone was also among the group.

“I thought it was satire or something,” Moore said. “I was surprised. It feels kind of like the Trade Deadline. You know there’s chatter, but our job is to be professional and give everything we have.”

Moore and López figure to be the most sought after. Both are having strong seasons in relief, while Giolito has struggled with the Angels but has a strong track record. Renfroe has had a slightly down year compared to previous seasons but still has power, and Grichuk fared well with the Rockies but has struggled with the Halos. Leone also has a solid strikeout rate this year.

Giolito said he found out about it via X, while Grichuk said he received a phone call from his agent shortly before the names were reported.

“I’d say I was surprised, but at the end of the day, it’s a business,” Giolito said. “And it can be a really strange business sometimes. So you have to roll with it.”

It also signals the Angels are ready to play their younger players the rest of the way, as they’re essentially out of playoff contention. Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani, who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs Tuesday, won’t pitch the rest of the season after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow on Wednesday, and fellow superstar Mike Trout was placed on the injured list for a second time on Wednesday, too, after having surgery to remove his left hamate on July 5.

“It’s unfortunate the way we’ve played since I’ve been here,” Grichuk said. “Personally, I have not played well. As a team, we haven’t played well, and it’s one of those things where management has to make a decision.”