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LA Angels Weekend News Crash: G-Rod and Kids!!!

August 28, 2026

Welcome to the last weekend in August. The Angels are on their penultimate homestand and college football kicks off this weekend. It is crazy how slow and fast the baseball season goes.

What is awesome is the Angels are dead last in all of baseball yet the CtPG crew is actually happier than we’ve been in years. Real fans know rebuilds are needed and how they progress. And right now there are plenty of signs of progress.

Grayson Rodriguez is pitching up to his potential. His development is really key to the Angels rebuild. Can you imagine an off season in which the Angels didn’t absolutely need to sign a back end starter or two?

Grayson Rodriguez last 5 starts:

2.93 ERA, 27.2 IP, 10 BB, 29 Ks pic.twitter.com/D6TcUFfx46
— SleeperAngels (@SleeperAngels) August 27, 2026

Oddly, the Angels look to have six pitchers worthy of making starts right now. They should utilize a six man rotation the rest of the way to limit the innings on the young arms.

Kevin McGonigle is going to run away with the AL Rookie of the Year but Walbert Urena deserves to be on some ballots.

If Kikuchi pitches reasonably well in 2026, should the Angels look to trade him this off season? I can argue that either way but would love to know what you think.

With Wade Meckler out, Christian Moore is getting some looks at the MLB level. Does he fit into the Angels 2027 plans?

Looking at the farm has been great lately, especially Wednesday.

THIRD NO-HITTER IN TEAM HISTORY! 🤝

A combined NO-HITTER from Austin Gordon, Lucas Mahlstedt, and Camden Minacci, with Juan Flores behind the plate! pic.twitter.com/mJOnuxPRqm
— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) August 27, 2026

Austin Gordon is on a nice roll right now. Turk’s Teeth is warming to him so that’s a sign it’s OK to dream on him a bit. Potential back end starter is the word but he flashes in some games as well.

Caden Dana cut his hair. Flipped me out when I tuned into the Bees Game. The bats were on fire, though.

THE LINE KEEPS MOVING 🔥

A seven-run third gives the Bees a 14-1 lead! pic.twitter.com/1mEWY6xrw3
— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 27, 2026

After that game Cade Marlowe opted out of his Angels deal. Michael Fulmer also chose to leave the team via free agency. It seems lower level veterans are moving on from the Angels nowadays.

AA Rocket City scores 8 runs:

Jacob Cozart RBI single
Caleb Bartolero RBI double
Tucker Flint RBI single
Jake Munroe 2-run HR
Juan Flores 2-run HR
Arjun Nimmala RBI double pic.twitter.com/UoIqplcqoA
— AngelsMiLB (@AngelsMiLB) August 27, 2026

And I absolutely love to see the OC native going off in A ball.

meanwhile, in California, Gavin Grahovac has three home runs in the last 24(ish) hours pic.twitter.com/SDDaVQMRWD
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) August 27, 2026

Scouting director Tim Mcllvaine raved about Grahovac in the post draft Zoom chat. The kid is as big of an Angels fan as Meckler (who hit a bomb on Wednesday night in A ball). His power is obvious and his contact rate has improved year over year. I want to say my favorite pick this year was the second rounder, but Grahovac is quickly gaining ground.

Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. I’m bypassing the opportunity to watch the Phillies to go to an epic fight card tomorrow night. Been a while since I’ve been to high level fights and I can’t wait. My son is back in school and summer, by far my favorite season, is coming to an end. But you will find me on the beach catching as many late sunsets as possible next week once the Angels leave town.

https://x.com/AngelsMiLB/status/2092795446523744374?s=20

49 Comments

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Editor

Legend

Turk's Teeth

3 minutes ago

Samy Natera Jr is going on a rehab assignment tonight with the Quakes. Would be great to see that guy healthy and back in the bullpen mix.

Also worth noting, re: the bullpen pipeline. My favorite Italian stallion on the farm, Nicolo Pinazzi, extended his scoreless streak to 39 innings last night. Across four affiliates, he hasn’t surrendered a run since May 17. 28 appearances since that night.

On the year, he has a 0.81 ERA, and 94 Ks in 55.2 IP. Fangraphs documented his improbable resurgence a couple weeks ago. Definitely one of the most fun stories on the Angels farm this year. Look at that K rate – sitting there with Kade and Seth looking fancy.

You’d love to see this guy pitch when rosters expand, but it would mean adding him to the 40 man and (as CtPG extensively discusses below) shutting down his progress next season through the lockout.

We talk about the emerging rotation core quite a bit. But there’s a pretty snazzy relief corps that’s homegrown too, if it could just stay healthy: Joyce, Natera Jr, Bachman, Fermin, Murphy, Pinazzi, Farris. Minacci, Mahlstedt and Victor have all made progress this year as well.

Trusted Member

Texan44

2 hours ago

https://diamondcentric.net/major-league-baseball-mlb-guides-resources/major-league-baseball-2026-mlb-offseason-dates-roster-schedule-calendar/

I don’t know if this clarifies or confuses more but per this schedule, around November 6th, all current contracts ends. This is how I read this if English is the used language.

So for next season (whenever) Kikuchi and Trout are under contract. And all current free agents have no contractual certainty. All arbitration eligible players are still under contract (apparently) to their current team for the next season(s). So the injured are added back the 40 man roster if they are not free agents. And apparently all possible Rule 5 picks the team wants to protect (which may not happen) need to be added. And non-tender for those arb eligible would take place.

And people wonder why Shakespeare in Henry VI wrote “Kill all the lawyers.”

Super Member

Angelz4ever

3 hours ago

Great news-We didn’t lose yesterday!

Legend

MarineLayer

3 hours ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Is it? Don’t we want the most ping pong balls?

Editor

Legend

Turk's Teeth

27 minutes ago

Reply to MarineLayer

I think it was TrojanBoiler who pointed out earlier this week that the die has been largely cast on that front. The three teams with the worst MLB records (currently Angels, Rockies, A’s) all get identical odds at the first pick (19.25%).

There’s 7.5 games separating the Angels from the team with the 4th worst record (the Royals), so the team would have to go on a pretty heroic winning streak over the final 28 games to change their current odds of getting the #1 pick in the lottery.

Unless a miracle happens, the Angels have the best chance at #1 that they’re going to get, and share those odds with Colorado and West Sacramento.

Trusted Member

Texan44

4 hours ago

Time for a smile.

https://babylonbee.com/news/arte-moreno-finally-arrested-for-gross-negligence-of-the-los-angeles-angels/

Trusted Member

Texan44

4 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

Did someone on here call the “Tipsters Hot Line?”

Trusted Member

SD19

5 hours ago

So pretty cool. Gavin Grahovic is dating my neighbors daughter. He signed a ball for my son. He was super pumped. Really pulling for this kid

Last edited 5 hours ago by SD19

Trusted Member

Mikeal1st

6 hours ago

Nice article on Grayson and the rotation.

Author

Legend

Jeff Joiner

5 hours ago

Reply to Mikeal1st

Thank you. Just hope he stays healthy.

Trusted Member

Texan44

7 hours ago

https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2026/08/27/mlb-has-made-a-new-proposal-to-the-players-including-a-transaction-deadline-big-rule-5-draft-changes-and-more/

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

6 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

Good article Texan. I found this proposal particularly interesting: “Teams would set a weekly roster (like they do for the postseason), and couldn’t freely call players up and down during that week absent an injury (or similar circumstance).”

Trusted Member

milehigh

6 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

I’m not sure I find a point in that unless there is an economic point. Unless the owners save 10 cents in travel or other costs who cares?

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

6 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

My point is you’ll see fewer call ups for one game, unless a doubleheader maybe, and then sent back down. It might give those brought up more chances to show off before they’re back in the minors. Then again, it could mean more injured list shennanigans.

Last edited 6 hours ago by Born_in_59

Trusted Member

Texan44

5 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

I don’t know if anyone else ever notices but teams jerk around minor league options with players like a yo yo. Some get called up and never get into a game. These are humans with families, and are treated, in my opinion, like high paid slaves. It would certainly be better if they were guaranteed MLB salary for a week each time they are yo yo’d.

Author

Legend

Jeff Joiner

4 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

They get paid MLB wage every day they are on the MLB roster. I like your idea of guaranteeing them a week.

We see starters get called up for a day, make a start, then sent to the minors the following day. So they only collect 1 day of MLB pay.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

9 hours ago

Since September is almost here, will the Angels call anyone up when the roster expands or do they use those spots as players come off the injured list?

Trusted Member

Biggiswrth

8 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

With the lockout pending and gaining further traction after yesterday, I think we want to limit the amount of young players on the 40 man and keep them down. Did we ever get the final info on minor league play and training during a lockout? We need to keep developing during that time and will be important to allow them to do so during the big league lockout

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

8 hours ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

I believe that anyone on the 40-man can’t play during the lockout, but minor league play can continue.

Legend

Fansince1971

8 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

Huge issue and great call to consider this. Much better to let these kids play.

Trusted Member

milehigh

6 hours ago

Reply to Biggiswrth

I can’t see a reason why you couldn’t bring up from the minors and then send them back down before the CBA expires on Dec. 1. As long as the player still has options, of course. Remember that MiLB unionized and are under a separate agreement with MLB. That agreement does not expire on Dec 1. Just don’t have anyone you want to train or play on the 40 man after Dec 1.

TLDR: Mnor leauge plays on as normal.

Rule 5 draft should be interesting. Usually the Rule 5 draft is around the first week in December. But certainly would be after December 1 so the CBA would be expired. Could the owners allow the CBA to expire but not lockout MLBPA and still have a Rule 5 draft. Possibly, it would be the owners who declare a lockout and they don’t have to declare a lockout until whenever. Same with MLBPA, they don’t have to declare a strike if they don’t want to.

If the owners declare a lockout then Rule 5 probably doesn’t happen since you can’t fuss with the 40 man roster. Wouldn’t surprise me if MLB didn’t lockout until after Rule 5.

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

6 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

You can’t put someone on the 40-man and then remove them without exposing them to waivers. Optioning them back to the minors does not remove them from the 40-man.

Trusted Member

milehigh

2 hours ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

Minor league players with options don’t have to go through waivers. That’s a general statement and there are some rules surrounding that. Like minimum time to stay in the minors before getting called up again and so on.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

2 hours ago

Reply to milehigh

They do if you want to remove them from the 40 man.

Trusted Member

milehigh

2 hours ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

I don’t believe so. Looking at the various rules, which MLB doesn’t publish outright, i.e., you can’t just download the Basic Agreement from them, for options, 40 man and so on, takes some doing to figure it all out.

But, let’s say every time you wanted to call someone up and play for a day or so, or had to call up a pitcher for a game. If you absolutely had to put that player on waivers in order to send back down would you call up your best players? McGonigle might be in the running for ROY. If he flailed when he was brought up would Detroit have to keep him on the 40 man so they wouldn’t lose him?
I don’t think that would be true. You wouldn’t bring players up if that were the case.

There are times when removing a player from the 40 man means they are placed on waivers. But I don’t think that is true all the time when a player has options.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

1 hour ago

Reply to milehigh

They are two separate subjects. In order to play in the MLB a player hast to be on a teams 40 man. Sending them up and down because they have options is fine but they remain on the 40 man and removing them exposes them to waivers.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

1 hour ago

Reply to milehigh

you’re talking about 2 different things man.

If you are on the 40 man roster, you can’t play in the minors next year if the CBA were to expire.

Sending a guy down has nothing to do with in. There’s 14 guys on the 40 man that are in the minors right now.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

1 hour ago

Reply to cookmeister

Everyone on the 40 man is subject to the CBA so those 14, if they remain on the 40 man, cannot play minor league baseball during the labor dispute.

Trusted Member

milehigh

1 hour ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

Yes, totally agree. I believe the discussion was about waivers and everyone who is sent down has to pass waivers.

To the best of my knowledge, a minor player whose contract is purchased does not have to go through waivers at any time during their option years. Even though they were placed on the 40 man. There is however a five time in a season limit doing this to a player regardless of their option standing.

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

59 minutes ago

Reply to milehigh

An option allows that player to be sent to the Minor Leagues (“optioned”) without first being subjected to waivers. Players who are optioned to the Minors are removed from a team’s active 26-man roster but remain on the 40-man roster.

https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/minor-league-options

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

57 minutes ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

This is my understanding as well. They don’t pass through waivers to go back to the minors if they have option years remaining. But they would have to go through waivers if you wanted to completely remove them from the 40-man roster.

Author

Legend

Jeff Joiner

43 minutes ago

Reply to TrojanBoiler

This is correct.

Editor

Legend

Turk's Teeth

37 minutes ago

Reply to Roy Hobbs

Yes, just in case any confusion remains, any prospect on the 40 man won’t be playing baseball next spring, and you can’t try to sneak them on and off the 40 man without exposing them to other teams.

There’s really little confusion about this at the moment – it’s probably subject #1 on prospect media right now. MLB and BA have published regular pieces on it, and are discussing the key prospects (like Arias with the Red Sox) who can’t be called up when rosters expand without basically stopping their development next season.

If the Angels wanted to get a taste of Rada, Raudi, Gordon, Snead or Bremner in September, they’re basically SIL.

Trusted Member

Texan44

8 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

Don’t forget some prospects may need to be added if there is a Rule 5 draft this Winter.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

7 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

The Rule 5 angle is interesting. I guess teams can hold it like normal, but it would screw a player drafted who can’t participate in training/development or get paid until the lockout was over. The minor league portion should continue as normal though.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

7 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

One of these days someone is going to go after MLB for the different and beneficiary deal they have to get cheaper foreign talent – how they invest heavily in the foreign market and play by an entirely different set of rules. They have academies for their youth players, sign them in their teens, have verbal deals as young as 12, and they are talking about not letting US players sign until 20. I personally think their exemption needs to be challenged.

Trusted Member

Texan44

7 hours ago

Reply to HalosFanForLife

And while we are at it – let’s throw in MLB TV advertising “get all out of market games” and NOT saying “unless we give it to Apple TV, ESPN, Paramount +, Foxsports, or anyone else we choose.” Let’s get that in the package.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

6 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

This^^^^

Legend

MarineLayer

3 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

I hate that so much.

Super Member

HalosFanForLife

7 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

This is a great thread. And to think we’re only here for the parking and hot dogs.

Legend

steelgolf

7 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

Why would the Rule 5 draft happen during a lock out / strike?

Trusted Member

Texan44

7 hours ago

Reply to steelgolf

My only reply is because these are the same guys that schedule a Get Away Day for two teams this week in LA with both having the next day off. Surely it would not surprise anybody for Manfred and crew to have a Rule 5 draft and bar any player from reporting or talking to his next team.

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

6 hours ago

Reply to steelgolf

They probably won’t hold one. From Ballparkbarrister substack: “History offers a clear precedent. When the last agreement expired in December 2021, owners locked players out immediately rather than letting a strike scenario play out. Expect the same posture this time. A lockout freezes roster transactions, cuts off facility access for players, and creates the kind of frozen offseason that dominated the winter of 2021 into 2022.” No roster transactions, no draft.

Author

Legend

Jeff Joiner

5 hours ago

Reply to steelgolf

Rule V is in November. CBA expires in December.

Author

Legend

Jeff Joiner

5 hours ago

Reply to Texan44

The Rule V is is November and the CBA expires in December.

Edit: as pointed out below, the actual Rule V draft will likely not take place. What I am referring to is rosters will need to be set mid November like normal, likely exposing players to waivers or making them available in trade.

Last edited 4 hours ago by Jeff Joiner

Trusted Member

Born_in_59

5 hours ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

I thought the draft was held during the winter meetings.

Author

Legend

Jeff Joiner

4 hours ago

Reply to Born_in_59

To clarify, rosters must be set for the Rule V draft in November. The actual draft happens at the Winter Meetings.

It is when teams set their 40 man rosters in advance of the Rule V draft that players will get waived or traded and that is the window the Angels could use to add some depth pieces.

I’m not really concerned with the actual draft.

Super Member

Jim Atkins

9 hours ago

Gonna be in DC in a couple of weeks, scored tickets for the Sunday game with the Nats. Thinking I might actually wear my Halo jersey- I’m a lot less ashamed of my team these days.