Injuries & Moves: Detmers to start Tuesday; Moore being evaluated
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 31: LHP Reid Detmers to be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday to start Tuesday
After turning in three straight strong starts in a row, Detmers will finally get his chance to rejoin the rotation after he was demoted to Triple-A Salt Lake in early June. Detmers was expected to be one of the club's best pitchers this season but posted a 6.14 ERA in 12 starts before being sent down to the Minors. He had a 5.54 ERA in 14 starts at Triple-A but had a 1.29 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 21 innings over his last three outings to earn a promotion. The Angels will push everyone else in the rotation back a day and they're still deciding if they'll stick with a six-man rotation in September. Detmers will officially be one of the club's two September callups on Sunday while still deciding which position player will get the call. It's likely to be infielder Charles Leblanc or outfielder Jordyn Adams.
Aug. 31: INF No. 2 prospect Christian Moore exits with injury at Double-A Rocket City, getting evaluated Saturday
Moore left Friday's game with Double-A Rocket City in the seventh inning with a lower left leg injury after trying to make a catch on a liner at second base. Moore, ranked as the club's No. 2 prospect, appeared to land awkwardly on his left knee and was removed from the game. He was the No. 8 selection in his year's Draft and was considered a September callup candidate after a strong start to his Minor League career. But now that could be on hold, depending on the severity of his injury. But the Angels said there was no official update on Saturday, as he was still being evaluated.
Aug. 30: LHP Samuel Aldegheri, RHP Caden Dana have contracts selected from Double-A Rocket City; RHP Johnny Cueto designated for assignment; RHP Carson Fulmer placed on 15-day IL
The Angels made a plethora of moves before Friday's series opener to allow for a pair of highly touted pitching prospects to make their Major League debuts this weekend against the Mariners. Aldegheri, ranked as the club's No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was brought up to start on Friday, while Dana, the club's No. 1 prospect, will start on Sunday. Aldeheri is making history as the first player born and raised in Italy to pitch in a Major League game, while Dana is just 20 years old. To make room for them on the roster, Cueto was DFA'd after he had a 7.15 ERA in two starts on the road trip, while Fulmer was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Fulmer said he felt something in his elbow in the fourth inning of his start in Toronto on Saturday and was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Friday. But said he was confident it was just a minor injury.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP José Soriano (right arm fatigue)
Expected return: Possibly September
Soriano was placed on the 15-day IL after allowing two runs over 3 1/3 innings on Aug. 16. He's dealt with a big jump in innings this year and said his arm was feeling tired but that he didn't believe it was a serious injury. The Angels are being careful with Soriano, who has had an impressive season in his first full year as a starter. General manager Perry Minasian said on Aug. 31 that they're still unsure if Soriano will return this season or will shut it down as a precaution. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP Carson Fulmer (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly September
Fulmer felt something in his elbow in the fourth inning of his start against the Blue Jays on Aug. 25 but pitched through it without any issues. But it continued to bother him when he tried to throw a bullpen session, so he was placed on the 15-day IL on Aug. 30. He said he was scheduled to undergo an MRI exam but is confident it was just a minor injury, and he'd be able to return this season. (Last updated: Aug. 30)
LHP Matt Moore (left forearm strain)
Expected return: September
Moore threw 18 pitches before departing on a 2-2 count against Ernie Clement in the seventh inning on Aug. 25 against the Blue Jays. He had an MRI a day later before the start of the Angels’ series in Detroit on Aug. 27.
Moore said that he hopes to return to game action in September, but isn’t going to take “risks” that could have negative long-term impacts. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Andrew Wantz (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Wantz appeared in only one Major League game this season and was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 1. He underwent a further examination and had season-ending elbow surgery, the club announced on July 13. It wasn't Tommy John surgery. Wantz was expected to be ready for Spring Training but suffered a setback and his status for 2025 is uncertain. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP Chase Silseth (right elbow)
Expected return: 2025
Silseth had a setback in his recovery process and underwent season-ending surgery on Aug. 5. It wasn't Tommy John surgery and he's expected to be ready for Spring Training. Angels general manager Perry Minasian initially said on July 30 that Silseth was getting his elbow checked out after the right-hander was removed from his most recent start with Triple-A Salt Lake after 2 1/3 innings. Silseth was placed on the 15-day IL on April 8 with elbow inflammation and transferred to the 60-day IL on April 30. His last appearance in the Majors was April 7. He's expected to be ready for Spring Training. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP José Marte (viral infection)
Expected return: 2025
Marte landed on the injured list on Aug. 10 with a viral infection. The Angels were hopeful it would be a short stint on the IL, but he was moved to the 60-day IL on Aug. 30, ending his season. He felt something in his shoulder when trying to build up his arm strength and shut it down for the season as a precaution. He was solid in relief with a 2.33 ERA in 19 1/3 innings. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
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.
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. General manager Perry Minasian said on Aug. 31 that Sandoval could return sometime in 2025. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
OF Mike Trout (torn meniscus in left knee)
Expected return: 2025
Trout was moved to the 60-day injured list on Aug. 27 to make room on the 40-man roster for reliever Ryan Miller, who was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake.
Trout had already been eliminated as a possibility to return in 2024. He suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee on April 29 and underwent surgery on May 3. He began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on July 23 but left his first game after two innings because of left knee soreness. Angels general manager Perry Minasian said on July 30 that Trout was being shut down from his rehab process and was still feeling pain. On Aug. 1, Minasian announced that Trout suffered a new tear in his left meniscus and that he is done for the season. Trout underwent successful surgery on Aug. 7. (Last updated: Aug. 27)
INF Luis Rengifo (right wrist inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Rengifo was out from July 5-23 with right wrist inflammation and felt something on a swing again on July 31. He returned to the lineup on Aug. 2, but left the game after two at-bats because of discomfort. He was placed on the IL on Aug. 3 and underwent further testing that revealed he needed surgery. He underwent season-ending wrist surgery on Aug. 6 and is expected to be ready for Spring Training. He was moved to the 60-day IL on Aug. 17. (Last updated: Aug. 17)
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)