The Los Angeles Angels rebounded after a 1-3 start to the season by sweeping a two-game set against the Miami Marlins at Angel Stadium and now head out on a road trip in Texas to visit the Rangers and Houston Astros.
However, the series wasn’t all good news for the Angels as David Fletcher was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left-hip strain. To replace him, the club recalled infielder Andrew Velasquez from Triple-A.
While the injury to Fletcher is a big loss for the club, the Angels are planning on getting some reinforcements at early in their road trip.
Taylor Ward has not played since injuring his groin in the Freeway Series versus the L.A. Dodgers but he is expected to be activated sooner than later, according to Jeff Fletcher of The O.C. Register:
The #Angels are expecting Taylor Ward to be activated from the IL when he’s eligible this weekend, per head athletic trainer Mike Frostad.
Griffin Canning expected to throw off a mound during the upcoming trip.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 11, 2022
The 28-year-old was expected to be the team’s Opening Day right fielder after slashing .250/.332/.438 with eight home runs, 33 RBI, and 33 runs scored over 65 games in his fourth season with the Angels in 2021.
Also mentioned by Fletcher is an update on starting pitcher Griffin Canning, who was shut down in mid-July last season with a stress fracture in his lower back and will now throw off a mound for the first time since the injury.
Canning was supposed to be ready for the 2022 season but suffered a setback last month and wasn’t available for Opening Day. He would have competed for the sixth spot in the Angels’ rotation, but the injury opened the door for Reid Detmers and Jose Suarez to take the final two spots.
The 25-year-old right-hander wasn’t particularly effective in 2021, posting a 5.60 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP in roughly 63 innings pitched. Canning is available to return from the 60-day IL on June 4 but it is unclear what his recovery timeline is.
Angels place Jose Quijada on IL, select contract of Brian Moran
After suffering a right oblique strain, the Angels placed José Quijada on the 10-day IL retroactive to April 8 and selected the contract of Brian Moran.
Quijada has spent three seasons with the Angels, posting a 4.85 ERA over 29.2 IP with the club. His ability to miss bats is what makes him a viable bullpen option, but he has struggled with walks, which is represented by his 15.6% walk rate.
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