The Los Angeles Angels have continued to weather the storm amidst a string of injuries, maintaining an 11-8 record in the month as they wrap up the Freeway Series with the L.A. Dodgers. Unfortunately, their offense is going to continue to be a work in progress.
After supplementing the loss of a few middle infielders, including rookie shortstop Zach Neto, they called up Andrew Velazquez and Kevin Paldo. However, the slippery slope lies with the bullpen.
Losing José Quijada and Austin Warren to Tommy John in May, the Angels dodged major injury with Matt Moore and Ben Joyce, who both seem to be making steps forward.
Angels injuries
Matt Moore
One of the more high-quality signings made by Angels general manager Perry Minasian, Moore has been out of action since May 23. The veteran tweaked his oblique, amidst another high-quality season.
Through 22 games he owns a 1.44 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, with 21 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched. According to Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register, the Angels should expect him back fairly soon:
Left-handed reliever Matt Moore (strained oblique) threw a bullpen session on Sunday and he’ll have another on Wednesday. If that goes well, he will have a simulated game over the weekend in Colorado. It’s possible he could then be activated next week.
Moore developed into one of the better relievers on the staff, so getting him back soon would be a positive development for the Angels.
Zach Neto
Neto was called up in the middle of April and quickly became a steady presence. His .769 on-base plus slugging with six home runs and 22 RBI, shored up the lower part of the batting order.
Batting in the ninth spot in the lineup, Neto’s posted a .926 OPS, and has done the bulk of his damage there. The 22-year-old expressed frustration in his injury, and he’ll continue to rehab a very tricky injury:
Shortstop Zach Neto (strained oblique) said he still feels “a little bit” of discomfort. He’s just starting to do a little running or riding the bike to get his heart rate up. He has not started any baseball activity.
Neto still seems to be a ways out and the club would be best off not rushing one of their talented young players.
Ben Joyce
Joyce was an upside play by Minasian because of his flame-throwing stuff, and in his short time with the Angels, he produced a mixed bag.
In his final outing on June 9, he left after walking one batter when he experienced some odd feeling in his throwing arm, but those symptoms have settled down a bit:
Right-handed reliever Ben Joyce (ulnar neuritis) said the numbness and tingling in his fingers is “mostly gone now,” but he still has not picked up a baseball.
Posting a 4.50 ERA in five games, Joyce allowed runs in just two of his appearances. If and when he’s cleared to throw, command and feel will be one of his main focuses.
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