LA Angels Thursday News Crash: Greater Than Great

This 12 year old hits a lot of homers and can pitch with either arm. He wants to be greater than Shohei Ohtani.

Brandon Drury is appealing his one game suspension. David Fletcher is actually not on the injured list. It turns out it is the bereavement list.

Lance McCullers Jr.’s season is over due to his flexor tendon surgery. Mitch Haniger is also having forearm surgery. Vinnie Pasquantino went for shoulder surgery instead. Austin Voth just went on the 15 day IL with right elbow discomfort. Jesse Chavez got hit in the shin by a comebacker, but X-rays were negative. He is getting some other tests. Yordan Alvarez is out for four to six weeks.

Two Mets relievers are now available. They released Tommy Hunter and outrighted Steven Nogosek. Nogosek elected free agency. Mets reliever Drew Smith got himself kicked out of a game for sticky stuff before he had even thrown a pitch. Naturally, he’s facing a ten game suspension.

The Rangers just designated catcher Sandy Leon for assignment. They sent Owen White back down to double-A. The Pirates selected the contract of Osvaldo Bido, who is starting their game against the Cubs today. The Twins acquired Taylor Floyd from the Brewers.

Cody Bellinger is playing rehab games at first base. Here is an early shopping list of starting pitchers.

Athletics fans threw a bunch of trash on the field at the end of the reverse boycott game. Now the Athletics will want to stay in Oakland for sure (Sarcasm).

Stanford also reached the Men’s College World Series.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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red floyd
Legend
1 year ago

In other unrelated news, USA 3-0 MEX in the CONCACAF semifinal. USA plays Canada on Sunday for the cup.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago

Seager will hit a HR off the Ohtani sweeper tonight…

Hopefully that won’t sink us…

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

He won’t

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Hindsight is 20/20 !

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

But why no Moniak? Like Neto, That dude finds a way to help us win just about every time hes in the lineup.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I think I see his name in 6 hole.

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I think I see his name in 6 hole.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

Just used to seeing him leadoff most of the time

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

I get it. It’s so damn difficult to read the entire line-up card.
Haha

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Twebur

 😉 
My post from 2 days ago:

In addition to taking my Geritol every morning, at least triple checking my facts and numbers before I post have become a key habit of mine thanks to Cowboy26 watchful eyes.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

comment image

You’re right. I really need to stop multi tasking at work.

halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Don’t encourage him!!

angelsown3417
Trusted Member
1 year ago

Oblique injuries…

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago

Not meaning to be a doomer but dayum: 1 run will be a victory for this offense tonight

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

With all due respect..this team is bulletproof now😃Squid probably has a big hit tonight and plays elite defense. We only lost last night because we didn’t want to piss off the mouth-breathing * shit-kicking MF’ers! No Worries!
https://youtu.be/sngs6wj8tEY

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Woo hoo

FungoAle
Legend
1 year ago

The value of the glove, welcome back Squid 🦑. Sucks to lose Neto as he was our second hottest hitter.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  FungoAle

The. why not Fletcher?

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

Bereavement leave

Twebur
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

We lead the league in family emergencys.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

Sad. Donkey. JuJu.

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 year ago

🐙 was out 6 weeks with an oblique injury.

Neto has an oblique injury.

NOT great, Bob

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

But them youngins heal fast.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Pineapple12

But he did that totally unnecessary jump into a fence, Jeter style, that we were all so chubbed up for…. so totally worth it.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago

And there it is:

Jeff Fletcher

·
3m

Zach Neto is on the IL with an oblique strain. He isn’t sure of the timeline but he said he feels better today. He hopes he’s not out long. #Angels

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  smithy610

Hate to be Debbie Downer here, but this is horrific news. He probably underwent MRI, and no information on the degree, but probably 2nd degree. Normally takes 4-6 weeks rest with rehab assignment to follow, so it will be probably August before we see him play with Shohei.

Hope that this injury instead places fire under Trout and Rendon and hits Eovaldi with fury tonight. Do it for Neato Neto!

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  smithy610

He’s only 22 years old, you’d think he could just rub dirt on the oblique and not miss a game. He’s clearly been hanging around Rendon too much.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

Being young helps, so it will be closer to 4 week healing than 6 week. But, it’s likely that we are not going to get him back playing in the best case scenario late July, most likely sometime in August.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

depends upon the severity of the strain.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

No information on MRI this morning. Most likely 2nd degree, based on what Nevin said about this occurring with his practice swing. Being young helps, so it is probably more towards 4 weeks rest rather than 6 weeks, but with likely rehab assignment in SLC, we are most likely looking at late July in the best case scenario.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

This has to mean IL for Neto or Walsh got demoted

https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1669464432886558720

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Neto on IL because of his abdominal muscle strain, bad news.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Thats is horrible.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Big time suckage.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Walsh not in lineup against a RH pitcher..

Is this a sign ?

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

Nor is Moniak. What does this all mean?

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

🎶 I need a sign to let me know you’re here … all of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere. I need to know that things are gonna look up …
‘Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a buttercup… 🎶

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

I’m glad Pat Monahan finally succumbed to tradition and rewrite that last verse to reality.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

I was also going to complain a little bit why Thaiss isn’t playing against an RHP. Then I remembered Wallach is Sho’s personal catcher.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

The key is who Squid is replacing.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Gio IL? Neto IL? Walsh optioned? Rengifo optioned?

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

So many possibilities, so riveting. I actually do not miss viewing daytime soap operas.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I kept on wondering why they kept saying left side. It was not his leg. It was his tummy, sigh. This usually means at least 4-6 weeks rest, most likely not coming back until after ASG.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
2GA2Join
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

So now who is smart for not signing Trea Turner!?

just kidding

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  2GA2Join

Can we borrow Trea Turner for 2 months? We gave them Brandon Marsh. That’s the least they can do for us.  😉 

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

Good riddance to Jimmy Herget ….

Glad to see that unlike last season Perry is not wasting time.

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 year ago

Squid called up.

There’s no positive way for me to spin that. Very, very, very bad.

I’m assuming Neto to the IL… news should come shortly.

https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1669457901432233984?t=KkdLaGzMYjyszS9hk9isVw&s=19

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

One thing for sure is that Rengifo is not playing SS tonight. Relatively positive spin?

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

The Angels haven’t posted their lineup yet. Are they waiting on a Neto update?

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I guess Mr. Herget took an early flight back to SLC.
https://twitter.com/SamBlum3/status/1669461164168708099

Last edited 1 year ago by Kiyotchan
Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  Kiyotchan

So does Sam hide out in the locker room behind a plant or something?

comment image&ct=g

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

No wonder Rendon does not talk to him much.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago

What’s more important moving forward:

Shohei finding it on the mound OR Trout finding it in the batter’s box?

TrojanBoiler
Trusted Member
1 year ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

Shohei on the mound by a factor of 5

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  TrojanBoiler

You’re likely right, though I’d add that Shohei doesn’t seem that far off IMO. Aren’t most of these HR’s coming off of his “sweeper” ? Seems like an easier fix.

Also, Shohei pitches once per week whereas Trout is getting premium AB’s in the 2/3 slots about 5-6 games per week.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

And Shohei wasting a billion pitches in the first inning which also be fixable.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

I’d like to see him channel his inner Roger Clemens and just go right at people with his fastball. He’ll give up homers here & there, but I think he could minimize the pitch count problem a bit.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Not if nobody confronts him, lol.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  BannedInLA

That would be an argument that Arte would bring when negotiating a new contract with Shohei the pitcher. “Pitcher only plays only once every 6 days, so he should be paid only 1/6 of a position player who plays every day.”

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago

Here’s yet another plug from Fletch for his Ohtani book.

https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1669404828450078737

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Watched Jeff Fletcher’s portion of Foul Territory podcast with combination of curiosity and interest. For those of you who prefer the cliff note version:

-He thinks that 30% chance Shohei would stay with Angels, 40% to Doyers, 30% for the rest, excluding Mets and A’s.

-He confirms that Angels front office protects Shohei by limiting media access to him. (Only after he pitches and occasionally after he accomplished remarkable at bats)

-He appreciates his relatively free access to Trout, admits Rendon’s dislike of media access. He had no idea why Trout has slumped for the past 6 weeks when asked.

-He predicts that Angels have great chance to increase # of games above 0.500 regardless of the outcome of tonight’s game because of upcoming KC, White Sox, and Colorado series to stay competitive for playoff spots.

After watching Baltimore defeating Toronto with Adley Rutchman’s homer despite Shohei’s Senpai from high school, Yusei Kikuchi’s good effort and witnessing my boy Rickie Fowler leading US Open, I still feel for now that it will be MFYankees (Yey for Mets win last night), Blue Jays, Texas, Houston, and Angels battling for WC2 and WC3 come September.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Kiyotchan

I assume the last paragraph was you?

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Yes, sir. Sorry to be confusing, I thought by placing “-“, and using “He” may differentiate from “I” talking. It may have been cleaner, if I left out the last paragraph all together. I am learning.

MarineLayer
Super Member
1 year ago

There’s all this talk about something wrong with Trout. I think the bigger concern is Rendon. One HR and terrible fielding. He’s sucked since his return from the IL. How about another trip there so he can “find” himself? I think he’s done but something really needs to be unlocked.

PedroCerrano
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Rendon seemed especially lost last night but both he and Trout 3-4 have killed some innings lately. The black holes known as Walsh and Rengifo also being inserted reminded me of last season. At least Trout did get on base a few times last night with walks.

Here’s hoping that guys get back to health and production soon as the production has been good overall. As much as I want Walsh to succeed I think he may need a change of scenery to have any chance at a rebound.

JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  PedroCerrano

Echo comments about Trout and Walsh especially …

How long will we keep sending him out there ?? When he drops below .100 BA will he still be starting at 1B ???

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Charles Sutton

Agreed. This is also tells me the Angels aren’t prepared to give Cabbage a shot in the bigs.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  PedroCerrano

I had a hunch that Walsh was washed (How’s that for alliteration?) before the strange insomnia IL trip.

Urshela Drury can hold it down offensively, but Walsh should absolutely be sent to AAA.

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Dude give it a rest. I think You’re trying too hard to start a meme with the I’m really worried about Rendon Schtick

comment image

Last edited 1 year ago by Cowboy26
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

Something is speaking. Either trauma or autism…. or both.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

Wait…. you don’t like Rendon?

He’s not the guy who did the thing bro. He just reminds you of him.

Brent
Super Member
1 year ago

Weather is not looking too pretty down there tonight…

https://twitter.com/wfaaweather/status/1669386132260257801?s=20

It’s supposed to be really bad here in OK, too (80+MPH, baseball sized hail, low tornado threat) so I thought we’d be avoiding that driving down there for the game, but… maybe not?

Cowboy26
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  Brent

is that with the roof closed?

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago

Why did I bother waking up? Loss already in the loss column for tonight

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

Plus there’s no sharted rainbows from Grandpa to greet me. Sad donkey 😔 🫏

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
Reply to  DowningDude

comment image

DowningDude
Legend
1 year ago

Love it. Wish it could be my avatar

RexFregosi
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  DowningDude

yep, that DH is pitching tonight (again)

DH ‘s a wild —- he leads MLB in HBP and WP

Pineapple12
Super Member
1 year ago

Angels are 38-32

7 losses back of the division
7 losses back of WC1
3 losses back of WC2
2 losses back of WC3

6-15 Rooting Guide

Angels > Rangers
Blue Jays or Orioles (win-win for us)
Nationals > Astros

Big game for us today – let’s get it !!!

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

I cannot help but notice that you did not list A’s vs Tampa Bay. I also believe that Tampa Bay or Orioles take the AL East crown and the other WC1. So, your not listing the game is quite appropriate. I now think that Rays and Orioles are the two best teams in AL. Orioles doing this without Cedric Mullins is mind-boggling.

As I read additionally about the owner of A’s and his mutual hatred with the A’s fans, it was rather ironic that shortly after the conclusion of the Reverse Boycott game, Nevada Assembly passed the bill approving public funding for a stadium to be built for what will be Las Vegas A’s (I guess they can change the nickname to be decided later.). It was as if Fisher turned around and displayed his okole to A’s fanatics.

Gotta give kudos to Joe Lombardo’s political acumen to get the bill passed despite his Trumper colleagues heckling. Especially in June.  🌈 

Guest
1 year ago

Looking at the AL teams who would be in the playoffs if the playoffs started today, and I’m not that impressed. The Angels seem mediocre, yet they can compete with the Orioles and Rangers and Yankees. The Angels could easily handle the Twins. Houston always seems to have our number, though, and the TBRs look formidable, but I’d like to see them in a series with the Halos first before I surrender to them.

Last edited 1 year ago by GhostGuest
JackFrost
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to 

The Astros STILL have our number (with the help of MLB and the umpires of course…) and sadly they are the key team we have to catch and pass… Toronto is solid but I think we can probably pass them .. I say that with mild confidence and not complete confidence. The one I am concerned about is Houston since the League seems to have a vested interest in seeing them in the postseason..

To point, they benefitted from another scandalously bad call last night vs the Nationals …

Nationals Lose on Runner’s Lane Interference No-Call in Houston in Dave Martinez Flashback to 2019 – YouTube

Last edited 1 year ago by JackFrost
halofansince1978
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

The umpires did the cheating for the Asstros last night.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago

Unfortunately these are the plays that are NOT reviewable. The plate umpire was totally negligent on calling runner’s interference. It is just about umpiring 101 level that he did not execute. I absolutely sympathize with Dave Martinez outrage at postgame. And that it happened to Asstros benefit is nauseating.

Kiyotchan
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to  JackFrost

As high school umpire of almost 20 years, I called runner’s interference on “not running in the lane” at 1B only twice, both of them JV games. Both times, the head coach came out ready to chop my head off screaming. As plate umpire, I have to be thinking about it anytime there is a bunt or weakly hit grounder, especially to the right side. It is amazing to me that this interference never occurred when I umped varsity games.

There is a suggestion by Ben Verlander (brother of Justin) that there should be another base at 1B in the running lane as they do in softball. I actually agree with him. It would help reduce the occurrence of the interference and more importantly minimize the horrible collision between the runner and whoever is covering the first base. Not too long ago, I saw a runner flipping over the first baseman and almost broke his neck landing on his head.

Girls rock in this matter because they are smart in introducing another base right next to the original and wearing face guard in addition to helmet when batting and sometimes pitching. Guys are sometimes too macho, so that they can “cut off their noses despite their faces”.

BannedInLA
Super Member
1 year ago
Reply to 

Houston has been the best team in baseball for the last decade so there’s no shame there IMO. Agree that we can probably hang with the rest setting aside the obvious caveats of health, Trout bouncing back, etc.

smithy610
Super Member
1 year ago

Angels may actually catch a break playing the bangers after the ASG w/o Yordan playing.