Injuries & Moves: Soriano activated; Wantz placed on IL
LATEST NEWS
July 2: José Soriano activated from 15-day IL; RHP Andrew Wantz placed on 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation
Soriano, out with an abdomen infection, came off the IL and took the mound Tuesday at Oakland, his first start since June 12. Manager Ron Washington said before the game he was hoping to get five innings out of Soriano, who was scheduled for a pitch count of roughly 65. Wantz, who’s appeared in just one Major League game this season, is set to undergo further evaluation on his elbow.
June 30: OF Taylor Ward OK after being hit by pitch on helmet
In a scary scene, Ward was hit on his helmet by a 93 mph fastball from Tigers right-hander Shelby Miller in the ninth inning on Sunday. Ward said after the game that he's OK and that the Angels removed him from the game for precautionary reasons.
Ward was hit in the face by a fastball from Toronto’s Alek Manoah last July, and it ended his season, as he suffered multiple facial fractures. Ward has recovered to have a solid season offensively, with a team-leading 14 homers and 43 RBIs in 81 games, but opponents have been pitching him inside often this year.
"Everything is good," Ward said. "I'm just thankful for the C-flap. It was pretty much the same spot as last year. So good thing I had this on this time. I think that made the difference. No concussion or any real issues."
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Adam Cimber (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly July
Cimber, currently rehabbing in Arizona, is set to throw a side session July 3 and live batting practice in the week. He landed on the 15-day injured list on June 15, one day after allowing four runs to the Giants in one-third of an inning in the Angels' eventual 8-6 win at Oracle Park. Manager Ron Washington said Cimber first told him about the shoulder issue later that night, but the veteran right-hander had been receiving treatment before then. Cimber progressed to throwing from 90 feet on June 24 and threw from 90 feet again on June 27. (Last updated: July 2)
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 wasn't sure when he injured his knee. 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, but Trout is already beyond that point
Trout spoke with the media on June 29, saying he's started some light baseball activity and is nearing running and hitting. He said running is his biggest step and is hopeful to return by late July. More>> (Last updated: June 29)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP José Quijada (torn ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: Possibly July
Quijada was scheduled to make his second rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on July 2. He suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 17, 2023. He will likely return by midseason, depending on how he responds to rehab. (Last updated: July 2)
LHP Patrick Sandoval (torn flexor tendon, torn ulnar collateral ligament)
Expected return: Possibly late 2025
Sandoval exited his June 21 start against the Dodgers with left forearm tightness and was placed on the injured list the next day with a left elbow strain. Sandoval felt it while pitching to former teammate Shohei Ohtani, signaling to the dugout after he threw an 89 mph fastball. He underwent an MRI exam on June 22 and told reporters on June 24 that he was diagnosed with a high-grade flexor tendon tear and a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He said he'll undergo surgery soon and expects to be out for at least a year. There remains a chance he could be out until 2026.
Sandoval was moved to the 60-day IL on June 25. He underwent successful surgery to repair his UCL on June 26. On June 29, he said that he had a brace inserted in his elbow as part of his Tommy John surgery. His timetable is roughly 12-14 months. (Last updated: June 29)
3B Anthony Rendon (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Possibly July 8
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.
Rendon progressed to running the bases on June 24, which was considered a big step in his recovery plan. He was also going to run the bases again on June 28. His next step is facing live pitching, which was expected to happen the weekend of June 28-30. The Angels are hopeful he'll be able to return on July 8 after their road trip in Oakland and Chicago. (Last updated: June 28)
RHP José Cisnero (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly July
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. Cisnero started his throwing progression and played catch on May 9. He progressed to throwing from 120 feet on May 17 and threw off a mound on May 19. But he felt tightness in his lower back after throwing and was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 29. He resumed throwing on June 10 and threw from 120 feet on June 21. He was scheduled to throw off a mound on June 28. (Last updated: June 27)
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 would undergo season-ending elbow surgery, and he had Tommy John surgery with a brace inserted in his elbow on May 1. 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.
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)