ICYMI: A winning record, roster/injury news, a familiar Opening Day matchup and more

Surgeries, call-ups, wins, oh my! The Angels have a lot going on these days as they head into a tough weekend series against the crosstown rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Although they were fairly restrained for better or worse at the Trade Deadline, the Halos have some internal news worth discussing as we head into the final 50+ games of the season. Let’s try to break down what’s going on what the team and what to expect coming up.

Injuries

• Anthony Rendon went on the 10-day IL on July 6 for his hamstring. He’s had problems with that, a knee contusion and his groin so far this season. Now, he’s undergoing season-ending surgery for his hip. Even manager Joe Maddon doesn’t understand how the regression of Rendon’s injuries got to this point, but here we are. This is Rendon’s third trip to the IL this season, after experiencing injury concerns last season with the Angels, as well. Rendon is expected back at the start of next season but, as is everything with him, that’s tentative.
• Mike Trout’s injury progression has seemingly been worst-case-scenario, as he was expected back in the lineup by now and obviously isn’t. It was reported by Maddon this week that Trout’s return timeline was delayed again. Trout has been on the IL since May 18 with a right calf strain.
• Jared Walsh may be activated off the IL this weekend after dealing with an intercostal strain. His situation is more of a “see how I feel” kind of thing and both he and Maddon were noncommittal to a return date.

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Notable Roster Additions

• Jo Adell tore it up in his first game of the season on Tuesday (after experiencing a flight delay on Monday when called up from Salt Lake) and has been in the lineup every day since.
• RHP Chris Rodriguez has been very good this season and was recalled on the 2nd only to be sent down to Salt Lake on the 4th. It is expected, however, that he will be back up with the club shortly.
• LHP Packy Naughton was recalled on the 4th but has not pitched.
• LHP Reid Detmers made his Major League debut on Sunday to mixed results, but will get another shot at a top tier team on Sunday against the Dodgers. Going up against Oakland and Los Angeles in your first two career starts is one way to get adjusted to Major League hitters, I suppose...

Messed with Texas

• The Angels took three of four in Texas this week, getting the team record to 55-54 on the season. The three-game winning streak is tied for their second longest of the season and puts them at six games back of the second Wild Card spot. The Halos are 5-5 in their last 10 games.

Roster Tweaks

• Outfielders Justin Upton and Adam Eaton recently did some work at first base in preparation for the upcoming NL series and a potential need for depth. Maddon is certainly creative.
• All indications point to Jack Mayfield continuing as the everyday third baseman. The journeyman has exceeded expectations this season at the plate, contributing key power in addition to his usually steady glove.
• Ohtani has struggled at the plate since the All-Star Break, striking out in nearly 40% of his at-bats, according to Brent Maguire. He also has been homerless since July 28. The upcoming series in an NL ballpark will surely see him utilized as a pinch hitter and will offer him some much-needed rest.

Accolades

• RHP Raisel Iglesias won AL Reliever of the Month for July. He is the first Angel to win the award since Mike Mayers in September 2020.
• Shohei Ohtani won AL Player of the Month for July on Monday as well. He is the first AL player to win the award in back-to-back months since “beloved” ex-Angel Josh Hamilton won in 2012 (with the Texas Rangers).

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Opening Déjà Vu

• The 2022 Season schedule was released and surprise, surprise: The Angels are opening at Oakland again next year. There are 28 other teams in MLB and yet this has been the matchup 5 of the last 6 years. Coincidence, tradition, voodoo? You be the judge.

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