The Angels made a flurry of roster moves over the weekend. On Friday they optioned both Andrew Velazquez and Andrew Wantz to Triple-A Salt Lake City. They outrighted Kevin Padlo to Salt Lake as well. They selected the contract of Victor Mederos from the Trash Pandas and they activated Anthony Rendon from the injured list. They designated Jake Lamb for assignment. On Saturday they released Jake Lamb. On Sunday they brought Andrew Velazquez back and put Brandon Drury on the ten day IL retroactive to June 30 with shoulder issues.
They pushed Shohei Ohtani’s next start to Tuesday because of his fingernail. Jaime Barria will get today’s start on four days rest. The fingernail does not seem to affect Shohei’s bat. He hit the longest homer in MLB this season for his 30th. Buster Olney thinks the Mets will be raising the stakes in the hunt for Ohtani in the offseason.
The division leading Rangers acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals.
It looks like the Cubs will not extend Marcus Stroman, at least not before the trade deadline. Jahmai Jones opted out of his minor league deal with the Dodgers and has been having a good 2023 minor league season in the Pacific Coast League. He fits the description of a replacement level player in this article about the difficulties of evaluating replacement level players. Alek Manoah even sucks in the Florida Complex League.
Clayton Kershaw has an inflamed shoulder.
Can I request that those people who post Twitter feeds post the actual content as opposed to the Twitter link. For those of us who are not on social media, we cannot get it – so much of what is being linked we cannot see.
Wait. What? Michael Lorenzen is an All-Star?
Thor and Michael Lorenzen did not work out last year, and it was the right decision on Minasian part to let them go, but I appreciate their leadership last year in creating cohesiveness of starting pitchers last season. I think that culture has remained in place to the benefit of Angels present starting pitcher corps.
Lorenzen has been selected to All Star most likely due to Detroit needs representation, but good for him. I am more than certain Shohei would be delighted to see his surfing buddy in Seattle.
Shohei surfs?
Both Thor and Lorenzen provided air of surfers image especially with their Angels City Connect unis. I was fibbing about Shohei surfing. I have a sneaky feeling that his contract and health care insurance policy prohibit him from surfing. I would not be all surprised he would be Olympic qualifiable surfer if he started. You might recall that Shohei was an accomplished swimmer in middle school in Japan.
Ok, good. Whew!
If it wasn’t required to take a player from the Tigers, he wouldn’t be
Two things are now certain. Kershaw will not pitch against the Angels this weekend, and someone else will replace him on All Star Game.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/dodgers-place-clayton-kershaw-on-injured-list-2.html
I don’t think it will be Escobar to replace him – I think I heard that starters will replace starters and relievers will replace relievers.
I am assuming you are talking about Estevez. If that’s the case, there will be two starters in AL who will be most likely replaced, McClanahan of Rays and Framber Valdez of Houston. There have been many comments of “snubs” as far as Estevez is concerned. The pitchers and reserve position players have been selected by active MLB players votes from what I understand. So, it would be smart of MLB to add Estevez. The other two they should add are Tatis Jr and Wander Franco if there are other position players who would decline their selections due to injury or some other reason.
Yes, Estevez and Duh….Kershaw isn’t in the same league. 🤦🏼♀️ and no, I haven’t been drinking
My wife has become a huge fan of paddle boarding and went to nearby lake to enjoy sunny Oregon day yesterday with her friends. She was the designated driver, so she enjoyed the below. Smart girl.
I hear it’s been really hot in OR. I have family in Klamath Falls (which is misnamed because there are no falls).
Famous for Shakespeare Festival! Only been there once, picturesque area. Had a friend from there, who was a flight surgeon while we were in the Air Force. He was a good looking half Japanese half Caucasian guy, was quite popular amongst many female Air Force non commissioned officers (no fraternization allowed) and lieutenants and captains. He later married his high school sweet heart, breaking many hearts of young Air Force women. 💔
Recently injured Brandon Drury is originally from nearby Grants Pass. Former Beaver, who played for Oregon State baseball team.
It’s been relatively hot, but we had to use our air conditioner about only 3 times thus far. It helps that the temperature goes down in the 50’s at night. Fortunately, no wild fire yet.
Yes, low temps at night really help!
I have 2 grandkids who are half Caucasian and half Vietnamese. The boy who is 8 looks just like what I imagine Shohei looked like at age 8. One day I said to him, “Do you know who Shohei looks like?” And he said, “Me!”
Good story about Air Force women, ha ha.
Thanks.
So they should change the town name to Claim Myth Falls?
I’d say so!
Starting Lineup:
Ward LF
Trout CF
Ohtani DH
Rendon 3B
Renfroe 1B
Rengifo RF
Escobar 2B
Wallach C
Fletch SS
Let’s get the first win of the series in San Diego!
We all stand and cheer to see Rengifo in RF
Let’s hope this is a “build his trade value by showing his flexibility” moment.
Hope it’s not ineptitude on display, not helping at all with trade value…
me whenever Rengifo is in the lineup. Why must we endure this!!!?
Free Jo
I don’t know that I agree that Rengifo is better than Moniak vs a leftie, especially when you factor in the defense.
This team’s persistent use of Rengifo is baffling.
Perry needs to take Phillips favorite mini toy away from him once and for all
This is really the only option at this point. Playing him out of necessity / injury is one thing. But actively getting creative and finding ways to get him in the lineup is crazy for a team that is supposedly trying to win games.
And he’s batting sixth. Nevin needs to set aside his man crush.
7th but either way its bad
I rely on Rotowire site for starting lineup, and I triple check before I post. So, it was Rengifo before Renfroe, and I checked it again with the site. I was not wrong. As soon as I reloaded the site, Renfroe in 6 hole and Rengifo in 7 as you mentioned. I fault Rotowire for being mixed up with Renfroe and Rengifo. They do look alike after all. 😆
This is a good site to also get the lineup.
https://www.baseballpress.com/lineups/2023-07-03
0 for 4 with 3 Ks lifetime against Snell ?
I know let’s put him in right field and bat him 7th
3Ks? Isn’t that Trout’s Indian name. “Chief 3Ks”
Thats insulting Twebs.
I think you meant to say ” Trout’s Guardian name”.
I think he has something on Nevin or Perry.
Did Angels and Asstros training staff and doctors go to the same quack school?
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/baker-michael-brantley-has-plateaued-in-attempt-to-rejoin-astros.html
The Astros are arguably the most evasive club in the league when it comes to providing health updates on their players and the ongoing Brantley saga has often been difficult to parse from the outside. While the long-term picture remains murky, today’s update seems to indicate that Brantley isn’t close to a return in the short term, since he’s still struggling to push his activities into another gear.
I think the Asstros have already written Brantley off.
Someone should ask Darragh McDonald if the Asstros have had a player go missing.
We just decided to the game tonight. Heading down shortly.
Have a safe trip!
And…June 2025
https://youtu.be/V6cWMh2IA7g
This Rangers Astros game is crazy 10-10 now in the 7th
11-10 ranger in the 8th
12-11 astros in 9th
Jam Jones just cleared the bases with a double in his first at-bat as a Brewer. Milwaukee was down 6-0, now 6-6
He should retire now while he’s ahead.
I think Renfroe at IB makes sense today which means Moniak gets the start in RF against the Padres lefty.
LF – Ward
DH – Ohtani
C – Trout
1B – Renfroe
3B – Escobar
C – Wallach
RF – Moniak
2B – Rengifo
SS – Fletcher
This would be an idea time to bring up Adell and start him in RF while telling Renfroe get comfortable with his first basemen’s glove.
Would have rather started Escobar at second and Rendon at 3B . Rengifo has completely sucked in limited at bats against Snell
I’m thinking Rendon gets an off day after playing in 3 straight post DL stint though I’m likely totally wrong.
I thought Phillip said they junked the load management plan with Rendon. The Angels have an off day on Thursday and then 5 off days in a row after Saturday.
Screw it. I say play him every game until another body part falls off if thats not enough rest for him.
Yes, they said Rendon will just play daily
Daniel Murphy in his small sample at SLC is showing there may be something left in his tank. Of course in either case someone has to go. Rengifo?
Theres no room at the inn once Neto comes back.
Murphy at .361. Plays 2B as well as 1B. A much better option than Rengifo, don’t you think
Neto comes back, Squid leaves.
And when Drury comes back Fletcher or Rengifo leaves.
Whoever remains becomes our backup SS . I’m hoping it ain’t Rengifo.
Neato Neto looks good throwing. His next step is probably swinging the bat.
https://twitter.com/Sarah_IsabelVee/status/1676000193945411584
Another angle. I notice he is not throwing hard. I assume he will use about 50% swing on tee batting.
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1676001808358182914
😀 Ha!!! When does that ever happen!!
See you sometime in August…….”if everything goes well”
I would definitely try to pick this guy up on a minor league deal. if the Angels can fix him he would be a great weapon to use against Jer Jer and the mermen later this season.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/07/mariners-trade-chris-flexen-mets-trevor-gott.html
Angels? Fix somebody?
They fixed Devenski so there’s always hope
I remember we also fixed, for a short time, Dylan Bundy so despite my joking around it’s possible
The Angels reserve the right to break anything they fix.
Yes, once Flaxen clears waivers the Angels should try to sign him. Anyone who has paid attention to the Angels farm system knows that the they have a severe lack of depth in Major-League-ready starting pitching.
Not sure if Moniak will get the start in front of friends and family today since the Angels are facing Blake Snell.
Not that anyone currently on their Roster has don extremely well against the left-hander in their career. I dont think Renfroe or Mous have ever faced him so maybe Phillip gives the kid a shot in RF and puts Renfroe at first.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/batvspitch/_/id/33748/blake-snell
Should he?
https://twitter.com/NBCSAthletics/status/1675646941940834304
Yes, of course.
Absolutely!
The Angels have not gone on a long roll of winning games that I believed would happen, at least not yet anyway. Let’s hope that it starts soon, it’s happened for the Braves and Reds recently. I still believe that this is a better team than what they have shown recently.
The 11-3 stretch from 6/4 to 6/18 was pretty close, but too many injury bugs have sapped the team’s ability to go on an extended streak.
The Angels really need to come out of the break hot. The series against the Trashtros, Yankees and Blue Jays this month are all potential difference makers.
Health is key – we need our IF back at full strength
I agree with you. Asstros also have pretty tough schedule after ASG, facing Rays and Rangers. MFYankees appear the most vulnerable for falling out with Judge may be on IL with struggling Stanton, Rizzo, and Donaldson. I still think that it will be between Angels and Toronto for WC3 come September.
ASG cannot come soon enough for Rangers, whose fans are in full panic mode after Kyle Tucker hit a grand salami in the 2nd inning, 6-0.
No one’s panicking in Arlington. Ranger fans are more interested in the opening of the Cowboy’s camp in 3 weeks.
😆
we’ll have to catch Texas rather than Houston
Of course, it’s between two Texas teams. They decided to turn this game into a football game, with Texas scoring touch down with missing an extra point and scoring a field goal after Jonah Heim was tackled for loss. Houston leading 10-9 after 5 innings.
If they don’t come out of the break hot it could be over for them … We can’t afford not to win that Astros series… Likewise for Blue Jays and Yankees… Though I feel that 6-3 might be too much to ask for that stretch, esp. if Neto is not back and in the flow by then …
If we include the Pirates and Tigers series’ which are sandwiched in there I believe we need to go 9-6 in that stretch just to tread water and stay in striking distance. 10-5 would be much better …That is of course assuming we don’t lose 4 out of our last 5 vs Padres and Dodgers which could sink us BEFORE we get to the break…
Not yet.
but they have what it takes to rip off a long one if Sandy can step up like Detmers and Canning.
Going the other way, meaning downhill. Devo has come back to earth, Barria has shown he really is a Bullpen Arm, Wallach is slowing down at the plate, and Ward and Renny are fading slowly. Everyone has their ups and downs during the 162 game schedule, so look for seasonal comebacks from all.
Right now our best pitcher seems to be Detmers, I am really excited that he seems to have turned the corner. Our best hitter has just turned in a month that is as much staggering as mind blowing, Shohei Ohtani, as with the lumber is on a roll.
Of late Loupy has been coming through and that is kudos to PTP and to Phillip for sticking with him. Estevez is still #1 in the pen.
Trouty is starting to show up again, hitting the baseball and running the bases and robbing HRs, I think Shohei is pushing him at this point of the season. I would like to point out that Mike has been playing what seems to me to be very hard and injury free in the last couple of weeks, but being that he is Mike Trout I am still hoping for more from him going forward.
The FBM keystone of the game for the Angels tonight against the Padres is “Where Are We Now?” by David Bowie, a track off of his second-to-last album.
The Angels are floating in the middle ground between contender and also-ran, just like the speaker of this Bowie song who is drifting about the streets, and trains, and bridges of Berlin, lost amid the ever-present stream of anonymous humanity.
But as long as there’s me, as long as there’s you,
As long as there’s fire, as long as there’s rain,
Who knows? I suppose there’s a chance.
https://youtu.be/QWtsV50_-p4
We could be heroes. If just for one day.
Man he must have known he was terminal for a while.
Don’t mean to be click baitish, but I found this Japanese article, pointing out Shohei doing ‘cat pawing’ gesture toward Escobar, who is apparently known to dislike cats, like Dominic Fletcher’s fiancee. I caution you if you are not a big fan of Bobby V, I recommend that you not click the movie clip, but if you would like to be marveled by Shohei’s near 450ft bomb, by all means, click it. Click it good.
https://twitter.com/BallySportWest/status/1675635465196535810
Shohei loves to tease his teammates. I wonder if Shohei saw that Fletch’s brother’s fiancee was blowing up the social network world with her startled face over the calico cat invasion of her private space.
I read yesterday that Neto is close to returning to baseball activities – taking ground balls & throwing. No mention of facing live pitching or a rehab assignment. He can’t return soon enough because the two headed monster of Squid/Fletcher cannot fill the void.
With Drury on the DL and Moose crashing back to earth, I wonder if we’ll see a bit more of Renfroe at 1B and perhaps Jo Adell in RF…..
Fletcher has held his own, but I would love to see Adell over Ward.
I’m a bit surprised that we haven’t seen this move (Adell in for Ward) but maybe with all the injuries and roster shuffling, they don’t want to complicate the OF rotation?
That or the Angels simply don’t believe that Adell can hit at the MLB level?
Fletcher has held his own if you include the 4 hits he got during the shellacking of Colorado. Take away that outlier game and he’s been just as bad as when he got DFA’d the first time.
His sample size is too small to cut bait and run, and his defense remains substantially better than Rengifo’s, but the Angels really need a SS who isn’t a free out.
Fletch is 7 for 25 at the plate since returning for a BA of .280. I’m good with that.
In yesterday’s game, he was 1-3, but two of the ABs were hard line drives.
I consider next 2-3 weeks are an evaluation/competition period between Fletch and Rengifo until Neto returns. Thus far, Fletch leads by slim margin.
Fletch leads by more than just a slim margin.
Rengi blows more games with his inept fielding, base running and generally stupid baseball IQ. You can only hide a player like the for so long on a roster.
And 3 for 19 (.157) if you don’t include the 25-run outlier game.
The hard line drives are more promising evidence than the Rockies’ game. I’d like to see Fletch get at 3-4 hits against the Padres. Then I’d start to feel more confident in his return.
My perception is backed by the stats – Fletcher hasn’t been good since 2020.
He was OK for portions of 2021, but the decline started that season and has accelerated since.
Fletcher Still cant run very fast. I wonder if his sprint speed is even major league average. Granted its a small sample size but so far the defensive metrics are not overwhelmed with his play at short ( -1 DRS over 108 innings vs Neto +3 DRS over 452 innings)
Oh help us young Padawan Neto. the future of the Troutani alliance is in your hands.
So, setting aside poor hitting, lack of speed and “meh” defensive metrics, it’s otherwise all good with Fletcher?
Until you wouldn’t. Ward defensively is vastly superior to Jo.
Adell had supposedly improved in the outfield, but yes, Ward is pretty solid in the corners.
Hopefully Neto, Moniak, and O’Hoppe will all be able to play many games together next year for the Angels.
Moniak during interview by Erica Weston after hitting 3 run homer yesterday gushed over Shohei’s near 450 footer that he felt like he was a small child compared to the two way player. This made me realize that Shohei has taken the trio of up and coming stars under his wing. Assuming that Angels continue competitive pace to reach the playoffs, the trio would be another good reason for Shohei to stay an Angel for few more years.
It’s possible that Moniak will always be a platoon split/4th outfielder throughout his career, but if he’s productive in that role, it’s a steal for the Angles either way.
Yes & yes on O’Hoppe & Neto. It’s beyond tragic for the team that they’re both injured this year.
IMHO, Neto will be back around late July. My anticipation is he will incrementally increase his baseball activities and do some live game sims and/or minor league rehab games. I am certain Neto is itching to get back, but reinjuring the same area is the worse case scenario, so it is understandable the Angels training staff have been overly prudent.
There is also outside chance that O’Hoppe may be back in late August to early September. Being young helps.
I suspect O’Hoppe comes back in late August if the Angels need him for a playoff race and he takes the rest of the year off if the Angels are out of it.
Good thought.
https://twitter.com/MattBirch12/status/1675622918838157313?s=20
Wow, that’s big-time company.
Shohei & Detmers are a very formidable 1-2 punch.
Canning has really improved, but he does allow too many homers – which can be overcome if you don’t issue walks (see Friday’s game).
Anderson is an innings eating, back end of the rotation plodder. All teams need one.
Sandoval? Major disappointment.
Barria – Like many others, I prefer him in the pen as the long relief specialist where he seems to excel. I generally hate to pull guys away from a role in which they’re performing so consistently well.
If Perry is “buying” before the deadline, I suspect it will be for a starter.
Although Padres have not announced today’s starting pitcher, based on their use of pitchers in the last 2 weeks, it should be Blake Snell, who may become available for trade should San Diego become a seller. He’s had tremendous June winning 3 games and his lone loss was not really his fault. He looks like Snell of Devil Rays years. He has $16.6MM contract this year and become FA after this season. And he is a lefty, who would have replaced Suarez in starting rotation. IMPH, Snell would be better than Stroman, Giolito, or Cease.
Which brings me to today’s game. We need good Barria to stay competitive. Because of probable lefty starter, we may not see Moniak start today. Yesterday, I did not publish predicted starting lineup, and Angels won, so I will not do so. As soon as Angels announce official starting lineup, I will attempt to post it because, again, Angels won yesterday.
I’d gladly take Snell or Stroman.
Stroman – Consistent and solid (career ERA 3.50) in the midst of what will likely be a career year and he might stick around for next season (opt out). I wouldn’t look to extend him, but he’s exactly the type of pitcher that could push the Angels into the playoffs this year and help keep the Angels good if Ohtani leaves.
Snell – Another consistently solid pitcher (career ERA 3.39) having a great year (3.21). He’s just a rental and will probably get an overpriced contract after the season, but a rental is exactly what the Angels need.
Giolito/Cease are better long term options, but they aren’t better right now, and they’ll cost more in terms of prospects since they are under team control. They’d make better off-season trade targets than trade deadline ones.
Established major league ready both of them…either will do.
Yankees, Toronto, Texas, Houston, Baltimore, Tampa Bay as well as Reds, Milwaukie, Dodgers, Dbacks, Giants, Marlins, and Braves will be competing for their service.
Bold Prediction…Snell changes dugouts after tonight?
Only if we score 25 runs against him.
Arte would love that so he does not have to buy a plane ticket of SAN to SNA for Snell.
Good morning, it’s time for the Angels to beat the Padres, almost is religious 😃 . Why does a team with barely 5 starters want to use Barria to start as All-Stars is right around the corner? Is Troutani at 30 HRs in same game?
I hope that the hitters start to get their acts together and start making contact with the ball.
Does the West Coast teams seem to hit more HRs or is every team connecting?
We are at the halfway point of the season and the Angels are a improved team over last season, if we stay this close to the pack for the #3 WC Position, do we trade Ohtani? I don’t think that the Angels are smart enough to pull the string for that to happen. Would I trade Ohtani? YES, if he has not signed an extension, and take the heat from the fan base, absolutely. He is going to sign for 50 mil per and only a group of 3 or 4 teams can take that on, and with Redone, we are not one of them.