Heading into the 2023 season, the Los Angeles Angels envisioned Jared Walsh being an important part of their lineup. He tore the cover off the ball in Spring Training and looked poised for a rebound year, but was not included on the team’s Opening Day roster.
Walsh was left off due to experiencing headaches and insomnia. As of last week, he had resumed hitting at the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate Salt Lake Bees facility in Utah, but manager Phil Nevin could not offer a timeline on his return.
Nevin provided another update this week and said Walsh is feeling better and continuing to make progress, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“He’s doing OK,” Nevin said of Walsh. “He feels like he’s making a lot of progress, getting some clarity on what’s going on. We
Nevin added that Walsh will need to go on a lengthy Minor League rehab assignment when he is cleared to return to game action:
Nevin said Walsh faces an indefinite “ramp-up period” once he returns from his rehab in Utah.
“He’s able to do some baseball activity here and there, especially on the weekends,” Nevin said of Walsh. “He really feels like he’s making a lot of progress.”
With Walsh unavailable for the time being, Jake Lamb has benefitted with opportunities at first base. He is currently part of a platoon with Brandon Drury.
Both players have struggled mightily thus far, with Lamb batting just .115/.179/.154 in eight games, and Drury hitting .152/.171/.303 over nine games.
A healthy Walsh would help solidify the first base position as he slashed an impressive .400/.512/.686 with four doubles, two home runs and six RBI in 14 Spring Training games.
Max Stassi not close to returning to Angels
Max Stassi is among the other players the Angels are waiting to get back after he was placed on the 10-day list due to hip soreness. However, it will be awhile before he returns as he additionally is dealing with a family emergency.
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