After getting off to a slow start this season, Luis Rengifo has become one of the Los Angeles Angels’ most reliable hitters of late.
Since June 21, the 26-year-old is hitting .284 with a stellar .962 on-base plus slugging, raising his OPS for the season to .708. He has seen increased playing time at second base in the absence of Brandon Drury, who is expected to be activated off the 10-day injured list this week.
When Drury returns, he will likely take back his role as the Angels’ primary second baseman, creating somewhat of a roster crunch. However, working in Rengifo’s favor is the fact that he has also seen time at third base, shortstop and the three outfield positions this season.
Angels manager Phil Nevin said he will continuing finding ways to get Rengifo in the lineup when Drury is back from the IL, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group:
“He’s earned the right to be in there,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said Wednesday. “We’ll find ways to get him in there. Guys are gonna need rest. We’re in the middle of a (16-game) stretch with no days off, but we’re gonna put our best guys out there.”
Nevin acknowledged the strides Rengifo made last season and believes he has earned a chance to play regularly:
“He did too much for us last year for me to say, ‘I’m not gonna play him,’” Nevin said. “He’s gonna sit, but I think he’s shown that when he’s in there more often, you get the better version of what Luis does. He’s gonna have to learn how to have some days off and go in and play, but I think he’s figured some things out in his swing and his comfort level so that won’t be a problem either.”
One possible way the Angels can give Rengifo consistent playing time is platooning him at third base with Mike Moustakas. Rengifo has a .905 OPS against left-handed pitching since the start of the 2022 season, whereas Moustakas has historically struggled against southpaws.
Rengifo additionally figures to receive opportunities as a pinch hitter and filling in for players who need a day off.
Angels’ Shohei Ohtani named July Player of the Month
Shohei Ohtani was named the American League Player of the Month for July, his second month in a row receiving the honor and the fourth time in his career.
The two-way star batted .282/.447/.705 with 13 extra-base hits in 103 plate appearances over 23 games. He led the AL in home runs (13) and on-base percentage, and finished second in OPS (1.152) and slugging percentage.
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