Detmers to make debut Sunday vs. A's

ANAHEIM -- The Angels have found their replacement for left-hander Andrew Heaney, who was traded to the Yankees on Friday, as top prospect Reid Detmers will be called up to start in his Major League debut against the A’s on Sunday at Angel Stadium.

Detmers was originally scheduled to make his debut on Saturday. It was moved back a day due to Shohei Ohtani’s start on Sunday also being pushed back after he was hit on the right thumb while in the dugout during Wednesday’s game against the Rockies. Ohtani was diagnosed with a sore thumb, and while he is still able to serve as designated hitter, his next start date has yet to be determined. Right-hander Jaime Barria will start on Saturday.

“He got his finger stung on a foul ball in the dugout the other night,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said of Ohtani. “He tried to protect himself. It was a high chopper that came in here. It was too high, but I would’ve thrown myself in front of him.”

Detmers, the club’s No. 2 prospect and the No. 57 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, has had a breakout season after being selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2020 Draft. Detmers, 22, posted a 3.50 ERA in 12 starts with 97 strikeouts in 54 innings with Double-A Rocket City before making one start with Triple-A Salt Lake. He threw six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and was slated to make his second start at that level on Friday before he was scratched.

“Obviously, the box scores have been really good but the work ethic between every start and the preparation between every start and what he puts into it, the reports are even better,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “The two factors when calling up a player are based on a talent and performance standpoint and the second factor is the mental aspect. Can the player handle it? And we think Reid is ready to go.”

Detmers has seen his stock soar this season, as the lefty has seen increased fastball velocity and was already considered close to the Majors last year when drafted out the University of Louisville. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder also participated in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field on July 11.

“I like it a lot and I think you’re going to see more young guys get an opportunity,” Maddon said. “I like the kid a lot. We all do. He comes from a great college program in Louisville. He wasn’t able to do a lot last year but he’s been making up ground. We know his stuff is really good. But the makeup matches the ability.”