Injuries & Moves: Rengifo activated from IL; Contreras on active roster
LATEST NEWS
May 17: RHP Roansy Contreras acquired in trade with Pirates on Thursday, active on Friday
The Angels added Contreras to their bullpen after he was designated for assignment by the Pirates earlier in the week. He was acquired for cash considerations. Contreras appeared in 12 games for Pittsburgh this season, allowing eight earned runs and eight walks over 16 1/3 innings. Contreras was MLB’s No. 71 prospect entering 2022, a year after he struck out 82 batters through 58 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He'll be available as a multi-inning reliever and was activated before Friday's game against the Rangers.
May 16: INF Luis Rengifo activated from IL; INF Niko Goodrum optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake; RHP Davis Daniel optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake
The Angels shuffled their roster to make room for Rengifo's return, as he had been out since May 3 with painful foot blisters stemming from a viral infection. He had been one of the club's best players before being placed on the IL, hitting .330 in 28 games. Goodrum was optioned after he went 0-for-13 in four games. Daniel was also optioned for the second time this season without seeing action in the Majors. Daniel was optioned because the Angels later acquired right-hander Roansy Contreras in a trade with the Pirates.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
OF Mike Trout (torn meniscus in left knee)
Expected return: Possibly midseason
Trout suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee against the Phillies on April 29 but was frustrated because he said he wasn't even sure when he initially injured his knee. But Trout's knee soreness worsened as the game went on and an MRI exam on April 30 revealed the tear. He underwent surgery on May 3 and is expected to return this season. The general timeline based on players who have had the same operation is roughly four to six weeks. Trout said on May 9 that he was improving after the surgery and that everything went to plan. He didn't join the club on its Texas road trip so he could continue to rehab in Anaheim. (Last updated: May 17)
INF Miguel Sanó (left knee inflammation)
Expected return: May
Sanó had been dealing with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee and was ultimately placed on the injured list on May 1, retroactive to April 28. He left games early on April 24 and April 26 with left knee soreness and underwent an MRI exam on April 27 that revealed inflammation. The injury continued to bother him, necessitating a trip to the IL. He's been taking grounders and batting practice without any issues. He said on May 15 that he was heading to the club's Spring Training complex in Arizona to face live pitching and that he could likely return within a week. He took grounders and batting practice in Arizona on May 17. (Last updated: May 17)
INF Brandon Drury (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Possibly May
Drury exited with a left hamstring strain against the Pirates on May 8 and was placed on the injured list on May 9. It's been a rough start to the year for Drury, one of the club's best players last season. Drury said on May 10 that he's not sure how long he'll be out, but was hopeful it's a minor strain. He's been receiving treatment but hasn't progressed to any physical activity, as of May 17. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP Guillermo Zuñiga (right pectoral strain)
Expected return: Possibly May
Zuñiga struggled in his outing against the Red Sox on April 7 -- not retiring any of the four batters he faced -- and was placed on the injured list on April 8. Angels manager Ron Washington said the injury isn't considered serious. He had a 7.20 ERA in five innings before being placed on the injured list. He's started his throwing progression, the Angels announced on April 26. He threw from 105 feet on April 29 and threw a live bullpen session on May 10. He started a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on May 13. He's scheduled to throw an inning in a rehab outing in Arizona on May 18. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP José Cisnero (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly May
Cisnero struggled in his last outing on April 27, allowing a three-run homer to the Twins' Carlos Santana while recording just two outs in relief. After the game, he complained of shoulder discomfort and was placed on the injured list on April 28. Manager Ron Washington said the injury isn't considered serious, but warranted a short trip to the IL. He started his throwing progression and played catch on May 9. He progressed to throwing from 120 feet on May 17. (Last updated: May 17)
INF Ehire Adrianza (back spasms)
Expected return: May
Adrianza was held out of the lineup with back spasms on May 9 and underwent an MRI exam on May 10. It didn't reveal any structural damage, but his back spasms were enough to land him on the injured list. The Angels are hopeful it'll be a short stint for Adrianza. He had an injection in his back on May 16 and remains in Anaheim to rehab. (Last updated: May 17)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
3B Anthony Rendon (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Possibly midseason
Rendon sustained a left hamstring strain while beating out an infield single on April 20 and was placed on the injured list on April 21. Rendon met with reporters on April 26 and said he was diagnosed with a high-grade partial tear of his hamstring. He said there's no timetable for his return, but it's expected to be a lengthy absence. He was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 9. He remained in Anaheim to rehab while the club went to Texas, but he could join the Angels in his native Houston to continue his rehab with the club. (Last updated: May 17)
INF Michael Stefanic (left quad strain)
Expected return: June
Stefanic, 28, exited the first Cactus League game of the season on Feb. 24 after feeling discomfort in his left quad. He was able to progress to running drills and baseball activity but suffered a setback in mid-March. Stefanic underwent an MRI exam that revealed a strain, and opened the season on the injured list as a result. He began a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on May 13. He's scheduled to play five innings at third base on May 18. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP Chase Silseth (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: June
Silseth felt something in his elbow while throwing breaking pitches during his outing against the Red Sox on April 7 and underwent an MRI exam the next day. On April 10, he said the results showed inflammation and no structural damage. He also had a second opinion on his elbow, but the doctors agreed it was just inflammation. Silseth progressed to playing catch for the first time on April 26. He'll continue to build up from there. He's progressed to long toss and said on May 10 that he's nearing his first bullpen session. He left for Arizona on May 15 to throw a live bullpen session and eventually start a rehab assignment. He threw a 25-pitch bullpen on May 17. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP Sam Bachman (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: June
Bachman is returning from shoulder surgery, and is in Arizona working on his rehab. Mid-back spasms caused his throwing progression to be put on hold, but he resumed playing catch on April 29. Bachman will continue to build up as a starting pitcher and progressed to throwing a bullpen session on May 10. He threw a live bullpen session of 25 pitches on May 17. He's likely to be ready to return by June. (Last updated: May 17)
LHP José Quijada (torn ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: Possibly July
Quijada suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 17, 2023. He missed the rest of the 2023 season. Having remained in Arizona to work on his rehab, Quijada threw his latest bullpen session on May 17. He will likely return by midseason, depending on how he responds to rehab. (Last updated: May 17)
RHP Kelvin Caceres (right lat strain)
Expected return: 2025
Caceres suffered a lat strain during Spring Training that required season-ending surgery in March. He made his Major League debut in 2023, allowing one run in 1 1/3 innings. He also had a 4.12 ERA with 85 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings across three Minor League levels. He was officially shifted to the 60-day injured list on May 9. (Last updated: May 10)
RHP Robert Stephenson (torn ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: 2025
The Angels announced on April 18 that Stephenson will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. He said on April 23 that he would undergo Tommy John surgery on April 30 and will have a brace inserted in his elbow. Stephenson said he believes it'll be a 12-month recovery but could take as long as 18 months. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 21 and underwent surgery on May 1.
Stephenson was removed from his first rehab appearance on April 13 after facing just one batter and feeling something in his right elbow. Pitching for Triple-A Salt Lake, the right-hander opened up the bottom of the seventh inning on the mound but threw only four pitches, all balls, before signaling to the dugout. After speaking briefly to the trainer and a coach, Stephenson departed. (Last updated: May 3)