Down one rib, Walsh looks to regain All-Star form

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels first baseman Jared Walsh first started noticing the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome in 2019, but he continued to play through the injury. In fact, he played through it well enough that his breakout 2021 season saw him earn his first All-Star nod.

But the symptoms worsened late in the ’21 season and continued to be an issue last year, as Walsh struggled to replicate his All-Star form. He was ultimately shut down with the injury on Aug. 24 before undergoing surgery on Sept. 1. But Walsh said that his rehab went well in the offseason, and that he’s feeling close to 100 percent right now.

“It feels like it, yeah,” Walsh said. “I feel like I keep getting stronger. I feel great right now, so no complaints. Full go. I can make throws, hit on the field, everything.”

• Will this Angels slugger bounce back in 2023?

Walsh, 29, was one of the better first basemen in the Majors in ’21, when he hit .277/.340/.509 with 29 homers, 34 doubles and 98 RBIs in 144 games. But his injury sapped him of his power last season, as he batted .215/.269/.374 with 15 homers, 18 doubles and 44 RBIs in 118 games.

It mostly caused tightness in his neck and left shoulder, as well as a tingling or pulsating sensation that would run all the way down to his fingertips. It got worse when he had to make throws from first base, which would aggravate the injury and affect him at the plate.

“It kind of came back to bite me a little bit as we got into the season,” Walsh said. “I think it was just tough not having a ton of confidence going out there trying to hit the best pitchers in the world. So I think I'm over that now. We'll see when I get out there, but [I’m] just happy to be healthy.”

Walsh in his previous form would be a major boon for the lineup, especially after the Angels brought in quality depth pieces this offseason including infielders Gio Urshela and Brandon Drury and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Brett Phillips. Walsh is likely to face mostly right-handed pitchers this season, as Urshela or Drury can platoon with him at first base. But the Angels are also going to give Walsh reps in the outfield, as he could play either corner spot based on matchups.

“If we can get him back to where he was, which I expect to have, it just lengthens us even more and makes for tougher decisions for me every night on who to have out there,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “But it’s a good thing to have. I’m just excited he feels good.”

Walsh also believes he’s still the same player who was an All-Star in 2021, and said he’s not worried about proving that last year’s dismal results were only due to injury.

“I really just want to hit a round ball with a round bat,” Walsh said. “I can’t be worried about proving other people wrong. There's always going to be naysayers and all that. So for me, it’s just go out and enjoy what I'm doing. And I think everything will take care of itself.”

Angels tidbits
• Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to throw a live bullpen session against hitters on Saturday but opted to throw a normal bullpen instead. Pitching coach Matt Wise said Ohtani will face hitters in the coming days and remains on track for his start on March 1 before departing for Tokyo to join Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

• Lefties Tyler Anderson and Reid Detmers threw live BP sessions against hitters set to participate in the Classic, including Mike Trout (USA), David Fletcher (Italy), Luis Rengifo (Venezuela) and Gio Urshela (Colombia). Anderson and Detmers both looked sharp, and Anderson got Trout to swing over a breaking pitch in the dirt.

• Angels position players officially report to camp on Sunday, but every position player except shortstop Andrew Velazquez has already arrived. Non-roster invite Fernando Romero also has yet to arrive, as the right-hander has been dealing with visa issues.

• On a lighter note, Walsh said he kept the rib that was removed during his surgery to alleviate thoracic outlet syndrome.

“My niece is five and she thinks it's the coolest thing ever,” Walsh said. “It’s in a jar in the house.”