Suarez to start vs. Mariners in Majors debut
SEATTLE -- Left-hander José Suarez arrived at T-Mobile Park on Saturday ahead of his Major League debut on Sunday, and the Angels' No. 5 prospect is excited for the opportunity. At first it was unknown whether he would start or appear after an opener, but the call was made after the Angels' 6-3 win over the Mariners that he'll be the first one taking the hill at 1:10 p.m. PT, live on MLB.TV.
Suarez, 21, will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday after posting a 3.91 ERA with 20 strikeouts, 11 walks and two homers allowed in 23 innings there. There’s a chance he’ll make just the one appearance and be sent back down to the Minors, but some of that will depend on how he fares, manager Brad Ausmus said.
"For right now it is [one game], but I don’t know," Ausmus said. "It’s not etched in stone that it’s one game."
Suarez said prior to the decision that he would be fine either starting or pitching after an opener, but it’s worth noting his lone bad outing came after an opener. He had a 1.86 ERA in four starts before entering following an opener in his most recent outing and struggled, giving up six runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to Triple-A Tacoma.
"I didn't feel as focused,” Suarez said through an interpreter. “I never had started a game coming in for the second inning. It was my first time doing that. But I have to get used to whatever situation they put me in."
Suarez dealt with shoulder soreness that mostly kept him out of action in Spring Training and caused him to miss the first month of the Minor League season. But he said he feels healthy now and has been getting a better feel for his changeup, which is regarded as his best pitch.
“I've been working a lot with my changeup,” he said. “Lately, my fastball hasn't been there in the zone. So I've been focusing a lot on the changeup, and it makes my fastball better."
Listed at 5-foot-10 and 225 pounds, Suarez is baby-faced and affable, but Ausmus said he takes on a different personality on the mound.
“He looks young, but he’s savvy on the mound,” Ausmus said. “He’s got some moxie.”
Hermosillo starts rehab assignment
Outfielder Michael Hermosillo, who has been out this season after undergoing surgery in the offseason to repair a sports hernia, began a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Inland Empire on Friday. Hermosillo, ranked as the club’s No. 15 prospect by MLB Pipeline, had been playing in simulated games and extended spring training games in Arizona.
Hermosillo, 24, can remain on a rehab assignment for up to 20 days. He has Minor League options, so once he’s healthy he can be optioned to Triple-A instead of needing to be added to the Major League roster. He hit .211/.274/.333 in 31 games with the Angels last year.
Harvey resumes throwing
Right-hander Matt Harvey, on the 10-day injured list with an upper back strain, has started a throwing program back in Anaheim, but there’s no timetable for his return, Ausmus said. Harvey threw a bullpen session on Friday and will continue to progress from there.