Opening Day for the 2024 season has finally arrived, and the Los Angeles Angels are on the East Coast to take on the Baltimore Orioles. The Angels were not a significant player in the offseason, losing two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers and not making any significant agreements with free agents despite rumors.
That is partly because owner Arte Moreno wanted to use Ohtani’s departure to reset the salary table and decrease spending this season. But it is also because the Angels have many exciting young players that could take leaps in 2024. That is the impetus for the makeup of the 2024 Opening Day roster, which the Angels announced on Thursday morning.
Few Surprises
There are very few surprises on this 26-man roster, mainly because the Angels have made it known what their plans are at each position in the days before Spring Training concludes. According to NC sports betting apps, the team begins the season as World Series longshots at +15000 odds.
They are carrying five outfielders, as announced by manager Ron Washington. Non-roster invite Miguel Sanó is on the roster, as he announced on Tuesday.
Around Mike Trout is an offense that has the potential to dazzle if some of the young pieces hit. Integral to this puzzle are Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, and Nolan Schanuel. Also integral is the health of Anthony Rendon—and, to a lesser extent, Trout—as both have dealt with significant injuries over the last three seasons. If those two remain healthy, that could take the Angels a long way.
To keep those two healthy, the Angels did not sign a permanent designated hitter this season and will instead DH by committee. Trout, Rendon, Sanó, Jo Adell, and others all figure to see time in that spot.
The Angels’ five-man starting pitching rotation was also set weeks before Thursday, making the only toss-up the bullpen. The Angels added several new faces this offseason in the bullpen. Still, their most significant signing—Robert Stephenson—begins the year on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation, retro to March 25. In his place is 2023 breakout pitcher Jose Soriano, who was stretched out as a starter in Spring Training and will likely return to Triple-A to continue that process when Stephenson is healthy.
Angels 2024 Opening Day 26-man Roster
Projected Starters (8)
C: Logan O’Hoppe
1B: Nolan Schanuel
2B: Brandon Drury
SS: Zach Neto
3B: Anthony Rendon
LF: Taylor Ward
CF: Mike Trout
RF: Mickey Moniak
Projected Bench (5)
C: Matt Thaiss
IF: Luis Rengifo
IF: Miguel Sanó
OF: Jo Adell
OF: Aaron Hicks
Projected Starting Rotation (5)
LHP Patrick Sandoval
LHP Reid Detmers
LHP Tyler Anderson
RHP Griffin Canning
RHP Chase Silseth
Projected Bullpen (8)
RHP Robert Stephenson
RHP Carlos Estévez
LHP Matt Moore
RHP Adam Cimber
RHP Luis Garcia
RHP Jose Cisnero
LHP Jose Suarez
RHP: Guillermo Zuñiga
