With Rengifo down, Hiura ready for another chance

CHICAGO -- With his .315 batting average and 22 stolen bases in 69 games, Angels infielder Luis Rengifo appeared headed toward his first career All-Star Game appearance this month.

But instead, he’s headed to the injured list, as he was placed on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation before Friday’s 5-1 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Rengifo injured his wrist on a swing on Wednesday in Oakland and underwent an MRI exam early Friday that revealed the inflammation. It’s still unclear how long he’ll be out just yet, but it’s a blow for Rengifo and the Angels, who were held to just two hits in their defeat to Chicago.

“It’s a kick in the gut, for sure,” said catcher Logan O’Hoppe. “It’s a guy we rely on. Especially a day like today, where we needed a hit to get going. You'd love to have them in there. Just one of those things we’ll have to deal with.”

First baseman Keston Hiura was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace Rengifo on the roster, while right-hander Andrew Wantz was shifted to the 60-day IL after being placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday with right elbow inflammation. It’s unclear if Wantz will need surgery, but it’s obviously viewed as a long-term injury.

It's tough timing for Rengifo, as he’s been one of the club’s best players this season. His batting average ranked sixth in the Majors entering Friday, behind Steven Kwan, Christian Yelich, Bobby Witt Jr., Jurickson Profar and Shohei Ohtani. Rengifo and Witt are the only two players in the Majors hitting at least .300 with 20-plus stolen bases.

The 27-year-old is slashing .315/.358/.442 with six homers, 12 doubles and 25 RBIs in 69 games. He’s also shown versatility, seeing action at third base, second base, shortstop and right field.

Rengifo had a chance to be named an All-Star, but it’s unlikely now because of the unfortunate timing of his injury, as the Midsummer Classic is on July 16. Manager Ron Washington said Rengifo will undergo further testing and they should know more about his status in the coming days.

“I still haven’t heard anything yet,” Washington said of the specifics of Rengifo’s injury. “When the game started, that’s when I heard he was going on the IL. But I haven’t gotten any more information since then.”

Rengifo, who remains under team control through next season, is also a potential trade candidate ahead of the July 30 Trade Deadline. He carries plenty of value because of his contact skills, speed and defensive versatility. The Angels, though, would only move Rengifo for the right price because they would have to replace his production next year.

With Rengifo out, it gives an opportunity to Hiura, who was crushing the ball at Salt Lake after being signed to a Minor League deal on June 11. Hiura, 27, hit .360 with 12 homers and 21 RBIs in 19 games with the Bees to earn the call-up.

He was thrown right into the fire against the Cubs, hitting eighth and serving as designated hitter. He picked up the first hit of the game for the Angels with a one-out single in the fifth and scored their lone run on an RBI single from Taylor Ward. But those were the only two hits for the Angels, who were also shut out by the A’s on Wednesday and Thursday.

It was also the first hit in the Majors for Hiura since Oct. 5, 2022, as he didn’t play in the big leagues last season. Hiura, who attended Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., and UC Irvine, was a former top prospect with the Brewers and played parts of four seasons from 2019-2022.

He hit .238/.318/.453 with 50 homers and 132 RBIs in 284 games with Milwaukee. But he dealt with a left knee injury last year and signed a Minor League deal with the Tigers in the offseason. He was released on June 3 but has found new life in the Angels organization and will get the chance to show what he can do.

“Everything felt good,” Hiura said of his time in the Minors. “I was telling people the last week or two when I was with [Triple-A] Toledo, things started to come together. I felt good at the plate and capitalized on mistakes by pitchers. Just carried it on over to Salt Lake. Things were going well, barreling balls. Obviously, I was happy with the results.”