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LA Angels Monday News Crash: Club Option

May 18, 2026

What do you say? Do you think the Angels will exercise their club option on Robert Stephenson? The Angels hired veteran backstop Austin Wynns on a minor league deal. It will be at least two weeks before Travis d’Arnaud can put any weight on his right foot. The Angels reinstated Grayson Rodriguez from the injured list. The Dodgers welcomed him with seven runs over four innings. They sent Alek Manoah to Salt Lake City. They selected the contract of Jose Siri and placed Ben Joyce on the 60 day IL.

Legendary closer Jordan Romano got a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers acquired left-hander Eric Lauer from the Blue Jays for a PTBNL or cash. They just put left-hander Jack Dreyer on the 15 day IL. They are losing Blake Snell to elbow surgery.

DFAs

The Orioles designated right-handed reliever Christian Roa for assignment after acquiring Eduarniel Nunez from the Athletics. The Rays DFAd right-hander Aaron Brooks.

Elbows

It’s official. Max Fried is on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left elbow. Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg is out for the season after getting Tommy John surgery on Friday. Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander is on the injured list with a right elbow strain.

Former All-Star and ERA leader Lee “Buzz” Capra passed away at the age of 78.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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Legend

red floyd

25 days ago

A friend’s wife is one of those bleed blue types. After yesterday’s game, she sent me a text with a broom emoji.

My response was, “Yeah, such a major accomplishment….” I mean, a high school travel ball team probably has a 50/50 shot at sweeping this team.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

YES WE CAN!

Let’s go for a record. 2024 White Sox were soonest eliminated team in the last 50 years. August 17th. If we keep this pace of the last 30 games – I think we can beat it. It might be hard because the Division is weak, but let’s give it a go guys.

Last edited 25 days ago by HalosFanForLife

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

25 days ago

We going with our tanking line up again. We literally just don’t care. It’s like we have to play the oldest line up we have.

Last edited 25 days ago by Roy Hobbs

Trusted Member

Hatcher_Is_My_Homeboy

25 days ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

yup.. pretty clear no one in the organization has a competitive bone in their body.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

25 days ago

what’s the hashtag gonna be in a few months?

#shitney4Whitney?
#Lose4Lawson?
#Lose4Landon?
#Suck4Seward?
#Suck4Seamon? (heyo)

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

25 days ago

At least securing the #1 pick in next year’s draft makes the team even more sellable. It’s going to be in prime selling position with no long term contracts among players or coaches.

I’ve got to keep hoping this is the direction things are going. It’s the only thing I can be hopeful for.

Legend

angelslogic

25 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

The problem, however, is that the team needs draft picks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 to even have a chance of developing a good team.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

25 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

problem is, the team with the worst record has not gotten the #1 pick in any draft since the lottery was implemented

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

25 days ago

Reply to cookmeister

Maybe the baseball gods will be merciful on us, just this once.

Editor

Legend

Turk's Teeth

25 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

It’s a stronger draft class than this year, so any of the top six lottery teams are likely to fetch something valuable, wherever they select, provided we’re not locked out and the draft proceeds as scheduled.

And, ideally, a new GM will be supervising the draft selections a year from now.

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

25 days ago

Reply to cookmeister

the problem is the #1 pick for the Angels would be the #16 pick for everybody else

Legend

FungoAle

25 days ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Top 3 would be sweet. The Year of the Dax!

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

25 days ago

I’m dun venting for da day. Bring on dem A’s.

Editor

Legend

Turk's Teeth

25 days ago

The Tri-City pitching schedule was released this morning, and neither Bremner or Shores are scheduled to pitch this week at any point through Sunday. Both pitchers remain on the active roster, but have not pitched in some time.

Through the 25th, it’ll be a three week layoff for Bremner, and a full month’s layoff for Shores.

In Bremner’s case, the MLB IL update labels his injury simply as “Illness”, and estimated return as “TBD”.

Bremner was removed from his start for High-A Tri-City on May 5 for precautionary reasons as he deals with fatigue stemming from an illness. The right-hander totaled 34 pitches and recorded three strikeouts across 1 1/3 innings before being lifted. Across five starts this season, the second overall pick from the 2025 Draft has posted a 1.50 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 18 frames.

No official reporting on Shores’ situation, however. The only info we have from plugged-in types like TBW is that the Angels are “managing innings/workload” for their top pitching prospects.

Bremner and Shores have yet to pitch twenty innings in pro ball to date.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

25 days ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

Gawd does PTP know how to draft – LOL to the point of tears. 😭 Our top rated #1 kid, but he did sign cheap and allowed for overspending on lesser talent in in later rounds so they didn’t go to college. 18 innings in ’26 and I am confident that him may duplicate that this season yet. It’s not the kid I see as a failure, but the guy that took him at #2 in the draft.

Editor

Legend

Turk's Teeth

25 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

Minasian’s and McIlvaine’s draft room tolerance for injury and relief risk (often the same thing) is as high as any in the MLB.

After going deep on relief profiles (Bachman, Joyce, Cortez, Shores) for half a decade, he switched to an even more fragile player archetype in last year’s draft: the high school pitcher. Generally the costliest to acquire in terms of draft bonuses, the longest to the show in terms of development years, and the most likely to succumb to major injury along the way.

Meanwhile, the consensus depth of the 2025 draft was high school bats, and we’ve seen some very promising returns from a dozen of them this season.

Legend

FungoAle

25 days ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

I’m starting to feel a HS OF might be the way to go in this years draft. Shallow top tier.

Legend

FungoAle

25 days ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

Meanwhile, Seth has rocketed up to MLB No. 3 prospect.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

25 days ago

Are we as fans DOOMED? Not really in the long term as Arturo will eventually sell and then there will be promise for the future. What we saw this last series shows exactly this-How to run an MLB organization and what cluelessness looks like. Dislike the team in blue if that is how you really feel, but the weekend clash of SoCal teams showed who was not just better, but which team is smarter.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

25 days ago

Optimistic are those that need to see what they hope will be. As long as the different layers of this organization are not major league caliber such as scouting, teaching, coaching, and at major league quality in any level this team will never under current ownership be winners. Never-ever. Case in point, Trout/Shohei combo never had a winning season. I’ve been a fan since opening day 1961 and have seen one fluke wild card season catch lightning in a bottle once and that was because the current ownership and clueless management were not involved. While it may be true that we have some decent prospects, in order for them to be successful they need to be taught the proper way to play the game in order to win. Pitching, hitting, fielding, throwing, throwing to the proper place, base stealing, base running all requires the teaching, re; coaching in which the Angels lack at all levels.

Super Member

bobblanton

25 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

I agree grandpa

Legend

RexFregosi

25 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

Molly Jolly = Jackie Autry
💯

Trusted Member

DaveChalk

25 days ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

Good for you sir being a fan from the very first year. And apologies for how they are currently rewarding your loyalty.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

25 days ago

Reply to DaveChalk

My mother dressed us kids up, the wood bench seating was not really dried and when we stood up someone noticed the paint on our backside and mom went nuts like Earl Weaver.

Member

Legend

Angels2020Champs

25 days ago

Who’s ready for the next one?

Legend

BannedInLA

25 days ago

Reply to Angels2020Champs

Am I the only one that laughs every single time that I see the words “Molly Jolly” strung together? Probably.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to BannedInLA

No – I’m with you bro. By golly, it get’s me thinking Christmas is the best time of the year.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

25 days ago

Reply to BannedInLA

She could do something about that by actually doing her job and firing Perry and Kurt.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

25 days ago

doing a little experiment today. After being ghosted by the media guy when I requested an interview with Molly Jolly, I am going through the proper channels and requested a credential through SI for tomorrow night’s game which will be sparsely attended.

The usual media connection Grace is very nice and we have a good working rapport. Let’s see if I get this credential or if my Arte bashing has made me persona non grata.

Member

Legend

Angels2020Champs

25 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Let me know if you need a photographer and/or security.

Super Member

bobblanton

25 days ago

Reply to Angels2020Champs

I can take notes for you so you can ask more questions

Trusted Member

milehigh

25 days ago

Reply to bobblanton

Do you promise not to laugh out loud at the answers.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

25 days ago

Reply to Angels2020Champs

Honestly the press box is not really fun. It is super quiet in there. Everyone in in their own little world and about the only sound you hear is the clicking of keyboards.

There is a little interaction before the game and between innings but for the most part it is a library.

Hence my not asking for a credential since the Cactus League.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

25 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Update: Got the credential. Also an email from my usual press connection over there. They are hosting 1500 at risk youth and having a Q and A with Adell, Grissom, and Gubi and I am invited to cover that.

I have access to the clubhouse this time, unlike at spring training.

So it looks like I’m taking the afternoon off.

Member

Legend

Angels2020Champs

25 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Sounds fun. I have the day off and might go to the game tmw. Too bad Jacob Wilson is hurt.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

25 days ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Awesome Jeff!

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Awful quiet from Angels headquarters. They must be out recruiting at the Villages in Florida.

Legend

Senator_John_Blutarsky

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

They don’t believe anything is “broken”, so the executives are lounging by Arte’s pool relaxing. Perry is still relegated to the waste water pond next to Arte’s mansion.

Legend

Pineapple12

25 days ago

Can someone please drop BA’s updated top 30 Angels prospects? Thanks 😇

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Here you go…

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

11-20

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

21-30

Legend

Pineapple12

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

Many thanks homie!

Legend

Senator_John_Blutarsky

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

This is the best depth of talent the Angels farm has had in 10 years. However, it’s a stretch currently to consider this to be anything other than a mid-20’s farm system when compared to the other 29 teams.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

That’s crazy. I’d probably put Guzman 2nd right now.

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

25 days ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

Looks like they aren’t as overreactive as we fans to recent success. Surprised that Raudi isn’t getting more love either.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Here’s what’s wild. I’m hard on them. But I do think there still is some potential in the org, especially on the pitching side. Time will tell.

Legend

Fansince1971

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

You are being hopeful and overly optimistic. That said with some luck being sprinkled around you never know.

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

I’m in the same boat. The current MLB team sucks and has no hope.

But the farm has more talent than it has had in forever. Not that it is a ton, but a revamped bullpen, true center fielder, and likely a couple of rotation pieces are on the horizon.

Super Member

PedroCerrano

25 days ago

I’ve been an Angels since 1972 and I don’t remember ever seeing it any worse than this weekends drubbing. There has been some cruddy baseball over the decades so I may have blacked it out. On a positive note: Turning off most games by the third inning does allow for some more productive activities.

Trusted Member

ErSTAN

25 days ago

Reply to PedroCerrano

For sure. My kids aren’t getting as much screen time because dad is playing with them. Thank you shArte!

Trusted Member

Mikeal1st

25 days ago

I liked last year’s series with the Doyers better, but does it really matter…?

Legend

BannedInLA

25 days ago

Ben Joyce is the prototypical case of a pitcher with potential that will never be realized due to being oft-injured. We should anticipate nothing from in terms of production. Bummer.

Super Member

PedroCerrano

25 days ago

Reply to BannedInLA

He was always a reach as a max effort guy that didn’t pitch much in college. He was a third round pick so it isn’t like they blew the #2 pick in the entire draft on a guy thet more realistically projects as a reliever. 🙄

Last edited 25 days ago by PedroCerrano

Legend

Pineapple12

25 days ago

None of our rentals have any trade value. We can’t trust Perry to trade anyone with term (Soriano, Neto, Detmers) and get fair value back. Crazy how poorly his most important trades — Marsh and Estevez — have aged.

Here’s what I consider to be the Angels’ fan agenda for the rest of 2026:

— lose, lose, lose and secure the worst record in the league
— don’t let Perry cook up any more poisonous trades
— pray Perry doesn’t fuck up the draft 😂
— let Perry and Suzuki’s contracts expire
— Arte sells or dies

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

We should find a Rockies forum and go talk smack. “We’re shittier than you are.”

Trusted Member

grichmanpoorman

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

That would be fun and therapeutic, actually.

Legend

Eric_in_Portland

25 days ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

From the Rockies “Purple Row”:

As frustrated as I am with this team, I’m glad we’re not the Angels. Maybe they end with a better record but there are zero signs of progress. I could seriously see them not making the playoffs until 2035

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

25 days ago

Reply to Eric_in_Portland

Not ever until a lot changes

Trusted Member

Mikeal1st

25 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

I think the last one is the only one that really matters, but I don’t wish death on anybody, so I hope he sells.

Trusted Member

ErSTAN

25 days ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Despite all our rage, we still just a Rat in the Big A.

Author

Super Member

Charles Sutton

25 days ago

Reply to ErSTAN

Rats,Rats,Rats,thousands of them,millions of them,all these will I give you if you will do as I command!!!

Trusted Member

ErSTAN

25 days ago

Reply to Charles Sutton

Bella Legosi’s dead. Much like this franchise.

Trusted Member

Biggiswrth

25 days ago

I supported a Scouting Fundraiser and bid on tickets for the game yesterday. We were behind David Vassegh and the guy who authenticates balls that were taken out of play. He was kind enough to give both of my boys a game used ball and spedning time with my boys at a baseball game is priceliess IMO. Best seats I’ve ever had and could physiclly see how big and strong the Dodger players really are.

But the product on the field was vastly different. The Dodgers are the cream of the crop right now, and the game had that feeling of the travel ball team that a random dad put together two weeks ago, signed up for the A-tier tournament thinking they could totally compete with anyone and then getting smoked. I really contemplated bringing a brown bag to wear over my head as I think I was on TV a bit.

We have no discipline at the plate, and we are hutnting pitches early in the count. When we took pitches, we were down 0-2 right away.

It’s hard to watch, and I made it a goal this year to try and stay optimistic as much as possible, but this team needs a full rebuild. We have some nice pieces but its got no foundation right now.

Legend

Fansince1971

25 days ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

The problem is that when we had the pieces to rebuild, and there was an opportunity for that, nobody wanted to rebuild. Only a few of us have been saying it for the past three or four years. Now it’s too late. I would love to be riding that “there is a ton of hope for the future” train but I think that the opportunity is really passed. Now it will come down to luck and maybe Arte selling the franchise with a real baseball organization coming into place. Short of that, I think what you see is pretty much what you’re gonna get.

Legend

BannedInLA

25 days ago

Reply to Fansince1971

“….nobody wanted to rebuild…”

Yeah, the fans in this forum totally have decision making authority with the club.

Anyway, a “rebuild” was never going to happen so long as they were holding onto Trout/Ohtani when both had significant trade value. If Sharte wanted to hold them, he should’ve spent even more if the thought was to “go for it now”. He took neither course and the results are horrible.

Back to the here & now. Trading away guys like Soriano & Neto for prospects would signal a rebuild, I guess. The truth is that we have very few tradable assets and rebuild with what?

All that being said, I do hope that we jettison Moncada, Lowe and even Soler ASAP. There is no reason to have these players soak up at bats.

Either extend Adell now or trade him, too.

Apparently Rada isn’t posting impressive numbers of late, but I do hope to see him later this year. Ditto for the SS/3B that is raking.

I also like some of our starting pitching prospects, too. Other than that, we don’t appear to have much in the cupboard.

Legend

Fansince1971

25 days ago

Reply to BannedInLA

My point was not that Angels fan opinions matter to the Org. The point is that it is too late now to hope for a meaningful rebuild. The time for that was centered around trading Ohtani. It’s one thing to have fans emotionally not seeing reality and supporting bad thought processes. It’s another thing entirely (much MUCH worse) when the Org engages in such flawed analysis.

Last edited 25 days ago by Fansince1971

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

25 days ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

Great analogy on the travel ball. Team has a couple of good players – and thinks it can compete with the big guys. Gets walloped and says it’s part of the plan. And of course, “We don’t care about winning – it’s development.”

Last edited 25 days ago by HalosFanForLife