ANAHEIM -- After an 11-10 start to the season, things have gone south for the Angels over the last month, with the offense and the bullpen especially scuffling. With their 15-2 loss to the rival Dodgers in the Freeway Series on Saturday night, the Angels are 16-30 and looking for ways to get things going. Manager Kurt Suzuki was asked before the series if he believes the club is simply going through a short-term slump or if there’s a bigger issue at hand, and his answer wasn’t a surprise. “I truly do believe that we've hit a cold stretch,” Suzuki said. “There's a lot of games that we're in it -- we're one swing away, maybe one pitch away, one out away -- from pulling that game out. … You’ve got to keep pressing forward, you’ve got to keep staying positive, keep believing that your work is good. And I think these guys are believing in themselves, believing in each other, and we're going to turn this around.” The Angels are getting some help with right-hander Grayson Rodriguez set to be activated from the injured list to make his club debut in a start on Sunday, and catcher Logan O’Hoppe returned from the IL on Friday after his wrist fracture. They also called up Jose Siri on Saturday to mix things up in the outfield, especially with Josh Lowe struggling, and optioned Bryce Teodosio to Triple-A Salt Lake. But there are still questions to ask about what’s happened and what they can do going forward. |
What’s been the biggest issue over this stretch? After a solid start to the season offensively with a combination of walks and power, despite a high strikeout rate, the offense has simply gone dormant since their skid began on April 18. Their 70 runs over their last 24 games through Friday ranks last in the Majors, as the walks and power have both dried up. In addition to their league-worst 27.3% strikeout rate over that span, their 8% walk rate ranks 23rd in the Majors and their 18 homers are 28th. The Angels have had several players endure seemingly season-long slumps, like Yoán Moncada and Lowe, while even star shortstop Zach Neto had a recent 0-for-23 stretch and has been moved down from his leadoff spot. On the pitching side, the rotation hasn’t been as much of an issue, although their collective 4.48 ERA over their last 24 games ranks 22nd among the 30 clubs. But the bullpen has an unsightly 5.81 ERA over that stretch, 29th ahead of only the Reds' 6.89 ERA. So while superstar center fielder Mike Trout and right-hander José Soriano have both performed at elite levels, they haven’t received much help. What are the Angels doing to reverse course? Rodriguez, acquired in the trade that sent Taylor Ward to the Orioles, should help stabilize the rotation, given his success with Baltimore when healthy in 2024-25. O’Hoppe is back, although he did leave his first game due to irritation stemming from a wild pitch. The Angels signed veteran Austin Wynns to a Minor League deal, and he could be brought up to replace Sebastián Rivero. Siri could also get more of a look in left after a strong showing at Triple-A, as Lowe has struggled despite mostly only facing right-handers. Vaughn Grissom has also started to earn playing time over Moncada at third base, with Oswaldo Peraza also getting more action in the infield. Peraza and Grissom have both fared well and deserve playing time. |
In the bullpen, the Angels activated Ryan Johnson from the IL to give the relief corps another reinforcement. But Ben Joyce suffered a setback in his recovery from right shoulder surgery, and although his MRI came back clean, his return will be pushed back. Is there help on the way? The Angels could call up a young infielder such as Christian Moore or Denzer Guzman (No. 7 prospect) from Triple-A, especially if they decide to move on from Moncada. Moore just returned from a hamstring injury, while Guzman is putting up solid numbers. In the outfield, No. 2 prospect Nelson Rada has been slumping, while No. 15 prospect Raudi Rodriguez has hit well, but at Double-A Rocket City. Right-hander Najer Victor, who turned heads while pitching for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic, is also an intriguing bullpen option. And lefty Samy Natera Jr., who pitched for Team Mexico, is faring well at Triple-A and could get a look soon. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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RODRIGUEZ EXCITED TO MAKE HIS ANGELS DEBUT |
When Rodriguez takes the mound against the Dodgers on Sunday, it’ll be his first time pitching in the Majors in 666 days, as he last started on July 31, 2024. He dealt with oblique issues and underwent surgery in August to remove bone spurs from his elbow before landing on the injured list to open this season with right shoulder inflammation. But after completing his rehab assignment and striking out 11 in his last start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, Rodriguez is ready to go. “I just thank God that I'm here,” Rodriguez said. “It was a tough road, for sure. My wife, my family, they helped me through it. Rehab, there’s a lot of dark days with that. And for a little bit, just kind of wondering why certain things kept happening. And just finally, obviously, getting to this organization and working with this medical staff. We got our thumb on it and got after what needed to be better, and here we are.” |
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Who was the last Angels player with a six-hit game? A. Chone Figgins
B. Garret Anderson
C. Mike Trout D. C.J. Cron |
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O’HOPPE PLANS TO PLAY THROUGH PAIN |
O’Hoppe returned to the lineup on Friday after missing 17 games with a fractured left wrist, but exited in the sixth with irritation. O’Hoppe, though, was back in the lineup on Saturday and said he’ll play through the discomfort. “It’s uncomfortable, but I’ve said that while going through this,” O’Hoppe said. “We’ll keep treating it, and it’ll be all right.” |
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D. Cron, who had six hits vs. Boston on July 2, 2016. |
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