Heading into the month of July, the Los Angeles Angels sit a half-game out of the third slot in the American League Wild Card standings. Enduring a few key injuries has been a theme for them, but thankfully they received good news with Anthony Rendon, Matt Moore and Ben Joyce.
After losing infielder Gio Urshela for the remainder of the season due to a fractured pelvis, general manager Perry Minasian made the decision to trade from their razor-thin prospect depth to get ahead of the issue. Bringing in infielder Eduardo Escobar from the New York Mets will certainly help, and so will newly acquire corner infielder, Mike Moustakas.
Both veterans have been highly productive players in their careers, but now with the Angels, they’ll be asked to fill specific roles.
Angels injuries
Anthony Rendon
Rendon was placed on the injured list after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch against the Texas Rangers on June 15. The 33-year-old had just returned from IL because of a groin issue before requiring another stint.
Manager Phil Nevin could certainly use his veteran bat in the lineup, and he could soon have him back, per Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
Third baseman Anthony Rendon (bruised wrist) did some baseball work, including taking ground balls on Monday. Nevin said “today seems to be the best day yet,” but he wouldn’t commit to when Rendon will be able to play, beyond saying “I think we’re close.”
Watching how he responds going forward will be key, and perhaps the addition of Escobar and Moustakas were to account for the drop in play the Angels receive when Rendon is out.
Matt Moore
Moore has been inching his way back from a strained oblique, a tricky injury that takes a lot of care to ensure a setback doesn’t occur. The veteran reliever hasn’t pitched since May 23, and could still be a few weeks out.
Left-handed reliever Matt Moore (oblique) still needs to have another simulated game or two before he’s ready, Nevin said. The Angels hoped that Moore might be ready after one simulated game on Saturday, but they determined that he needs more work.
His return is likely to come after the All-Star break, but with a 1.44 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, with 21 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched prior to injury, the Angels will take their time with him.
Ben Joyce
Calling Joyce up to MLB from Double-A was a move to bring some firepower to an already productive bullpen, and the rookie showed that his stuff played up. Although he exhibited some concerning symptoms after being pulled from his June 9 outing, tingling and numbness in his fingers, Joyce says those have since resided.
Right-hander Ben Joyce (ulnar neuritis) played catch inside the cage, the first time he had thrown since he went on the injured list. Joyce said he no longer feels any more symptoms, but it’s still too early to have a timeline for his return.
“They’re putting the ball in my hand,” Joyce said. “We’ll see how it goes and take it from there.”
Through five games, he posted a 4.50 ERA, allowing damage in just two of them.
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