{"id":58899,"date":"2023-06-19T15:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T19:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=58899"},"modified":"2023-06-18T23:09:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T03:09:00","slug":"angels-injury-bug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/06\/19\/angels-injury-bug\/","title":{"rendered":"Injury Bug Puts Angels&#8217; Depth to The Test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/06\/15\/the-american-league-west\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Angels<\/a> won their final game in Arlington against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/06\/15\/the-american-league-west\/\" target=\"_self\">Texas Rangers<\/a> on Thursday but suffered many losses to the roster. It began when rookie sensation <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/netoza01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Neto<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique injury after being pulled on Wednesday with cramps.\u00a0 Then on Thursday, the injury bug was in full force for the Angels. After tripping on first base, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/u\/urshegi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gio Urshela<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was diagnosed with a fractured pelvis. Finally, the oft-injured <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rendoan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Rendon<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> took a pitch off the hand and hasn&#8217;t played since due to lingering soreness in that hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Gio Urshela has a \u201cLeft Pelvis Fracture.\u201d Thats a vague diagnosis and uncommon in an adult athlete.<\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s a broad range of possibilities, given the injury mechanism, Urshela likely suffered what\u2019s known as an \u201cavulsion fracture.\u201d<br \/>\nIt happened right here:<br \/>\n\ud83e\uddf5 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KOKtjP8j3v\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/KOKtjP8j3v<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Angels TopPlays (@PlaysAngels) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PlaysAngels\/status\/1669849780418392065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 16, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Injury Bug Puts Angels&#8217; Depth to The Test<\/h2>\n<h3><b>The Short-Term Answers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every team will have to deal with injuries that keep guys out for the short term. Last year&#8217;s injuries took the Angels&#8217; season from them. However, guys like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rengilu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luis Rengifo<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can fill the spots for a handful of games this year. Rengifo had a great year in 2022 while getting plenty of playing time. The versatility he has will be helpful with both other third basemen injured. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Down in Triple-A, the Angels still have guys with major-league experience. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/velazan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Velazquez<\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is one of these players. He ended up being the main starting shortstop for the Angels last year due to injuries. He doesn\u2019t set the world on fire in the batter&#8217;s box but is excellent in the field. Velazquez had 15 defensive runs saved in 2022. The numbers between 15-20 usually indicate the best fielders. At least on the defensive side of the ball, the Angels won\u2019t miss a beat. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Angels have a few other guys who can hold things down in Salt Lake. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stefami01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Stefanic<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a guy many Angels fans who follow the farm system wanted to get a chance in Anaheim.\u00a0 He got a cup of coffee in 2022 and looked to be getting a similar chance this year. Stefanic was hitting near .300 in AAA, so given an extended look, he may become a specialty player for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nevinph01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Nevin<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>Preventing the Revolving Door<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only thing the Angels must avoid is turning multiple positions into spots with no real spot starter. Letting a player get used to one place on the diamond helps the whole team. Looking at the line-up and knowing you have a spot even as a replacement builds confidence. Versatility as a skill is good in baseball, but knowing that you have a single place makes things easier to manage. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, the Angels have more players to fill more traditional bench spots. For example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lambja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Lamb<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> plays the corner infield spots of first and third base. That alone makes certain things fall into place better. Luis Rengfio is the backup middle infielder, handling shortstop and second base. The same goes for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/velazan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Velazquez<\/a> playing his best position most of the time at short. A little thing like that during roster construction can pay dividends.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, the recent injury bug hasn&#8217;t slowed down the Angels&#8217; current hot streak. Things are beginning to turn around for the Angels during this stretch of games. Every team deals with injuries during a season. The excellent teams will push through the rough patches as other players pick up the slack.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><b>Easier Schedule <\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On a positive note, the schedule will lighten up during this spell of injuries. The Angels have an off day Monday, followed by two games with the crosstown rival <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/dodgers\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>, then a weekend series in Denver facing the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/rockies\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Rockies<\/a>. From now until the All-Star break, the farthest the Angels will travel is to Denver. A small amount of traveling is an enormous plus. Not having to change time zones, sometimes multiple time zones, takes some pressure off the body. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another key in the coming weeks is the teams they will be playing. The Dodgers, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/padres\/\" target=\"_self\">San Diego Padres<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/whitesox\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago White Sox<\/a> are underperforming to some degree. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/category\/diamondbacks\/\" target=\"_self\">Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> are playing incredibly well and fighting for the National League&#8217;s best record.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keeping everything in perspective is the key right now. The All-Star break is almost here, and that will allow the guys to get right and ready for the second half of the season. Currently, there is no reason to think the Angels will slide and lose the momentum they have had over the last couple of weeks. A more manageable schedule for the foreseeable future, depth at the minor league level, and veterans who should step up all point to the Angels weathering the storm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<p>Players Mentioned: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/n\/netoza01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Zach Neto<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/u\/urshegi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gio Urshela<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rendoan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anthony Rendon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rengilu01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luis Rengifo<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/velazan01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Velazquez<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stefami01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Stefanic<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lambja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-06-18_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Lamb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Managers Mentioned: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/managers\/nevinph01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Phil Nevin<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Los Angeles Angels won their final game in Arlington against the Texas Rangers on Thursday but suffered many losses to the roster. It began when rookie sensation Zach Neto was placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique injury after being pulled on Wednesday with cramps.\u00a0 Then on Thursday, the injury bug was in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4629,"featured_media":58911,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16,2,1071],"tags":[627,5658,1261,326,106,2792,1002,156,92,4939,4981,93,259,5906],"class_list":["post-58899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-angels","category-featured","category-mlb","tag-al-west","tag-andrew-velazquez","tag-anthony-rendon","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-colorado-rockies","tag-gio-urshela","tag-jake-lamb","tag-los-angeles-angels","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-luis-rengifo","tag-michael-stefanic","tag-san-diego-padres","tag-texas-rangers","tag-zach-neto"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58899","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4629"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58899"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58899\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58899"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58899"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58899"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}