The March 28, 2016 edition of Los Angeles Angels news includes The Machine playing the field for the first time this spring, a Rule 5 pick returning on a minor-league deal, and more…
The Story: Pujols gets first start at 1B in likely final Tempe game
MWAH Says: Well, better late than never. Pujols still seems a safe bet to begin the year at DH, but it’s nice to see he’s feeling good enough to play the field. Most of the team’s starters will leave Tempe after today’s game to get settled in California before the Freeway Series, so this will likely be Albert’s first and last start on the diamond in Arizona this spring.
The Story: Angels re-sign Rule 5 pick Deolis Guerra to minor-league deal
MWAH Says: Man, the Rule 5 draft is so weird. Every time a guy is selected, you hear the whole “if [TEAM] doesn’t keep him on the 25-man roster the whole year, they have to send him back to [ORIGINAL TEAM].” Apparently that isn’t always true. Because Guerra was outrighted from the Pirates’ 40-man roster last October, he was granted the option to elect free agency rather than go back to Pittsburgh if/when he cleared waivers with the Angels. Well, he cleared waivers Friday, then elected free agency, then re-signed with the Halos. And now they have added bullpen depth without having to pull a Taylor Featherston. Cool stuff.
The Story: C.J. Wilson shut down from throwing (again)
MWAH Says: I thought he had already been shut down, but I guess this is like a more absolute thing now. He won’t even get to play catch again until the season starts, which probably puts a May return in question. It’s being reported that surgery “hasn’t been discussed,” but of course it has. It’s just not Plan A.
The Story: Weaver working to fill out deep Angels rotation
MWAH Says: Jered has declared himself ready for the opening series against the Cubs, but Mike Scioscia won’t commit to anything yet. Tough to tell at this point if that’s Scioscia doing his usual close-to-the-vest routine or if he’s legitimately trying to find a way to keep Weaver out of the rotation for at least the first turn.
The Story: Several reassigned to minor-league camp
MWAH Says: With a week to go until Opening Day, the Angels have pared their roster down to 33. Nick Buss, Yunesky Maya, Quintin Berry, Ramon Ramirez, Jett Bandy, and Juan Graterol were the latest cuts, leaving 10 or so players to fight for the final two or three spots on the active roster. There are also three open spots on the 40-man roster, so one or more of the cuts could end up at least there come Opening Day.
The Story: Angels acquire RHP Troy Scribner from the Houston Astros
MWAH Says: The younger brother of Mariners reliever Evan Scribner, Troy spent all of 2015 getting lit up (5.49 ERA) in the Cal League. He boasts a strong K rate (29.5%) but struggles with the free pass and the long ball. He has never pitched above High-A, so even if the plan is to move him to the bullpen full time he probably won’t see any time in Anaheim until at least 2017. He cost the Angels only cash considerations.
The Story: Angels hope for better double-play duo in ’16
MWAH Says: Not like they can be worse than last year, when they were literally the worst. Andrelton Simmons will obviously help things tremendously. The big question is whether Johnny Giavotella can keep up.
The Story: MLB bans personalized bat knob decals
MWAH Says: God forbid the players show even the slightest hint of personality. Gotta snuff that out quick, before young people start to actually follow the game. This is a prime example of creating a solution to a problem that didn’t exist. The strongest opinion anyone had on bat knobs before today was “oh, that’s cute.”
The Story: New smokeless tobacco laws complicate matters in MLB ballparks
MWAH Says: Cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Los Angeles have enacted new laws banning the use of smokeless tobacco in big-league ballparks, but MLB itself hasn’t banned it, which creates a weird situation for players who dip. The league seems to think it can punish players who break the new city laws, but the Players Association is not having it. No idea how this resolves itself.
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