MLB Trade Rumors
Chris Rodriguez (shoulder inflammation) on the 10-day injured list, and reinstated righty
Jay spent time in the majors with the Angels earlier this season, but they designated him for assignment on April 16 after he went 1-for-8 at the plate. He’ll rejoin an Angels outfield going through some upheaval at the moment, as
Justin Upton is battling knee problems and
Jared Walsh is heading to first base in the wake of the team’s decision on Thursday to designate
Kruger, 26, could make his major league debut with Stassi out for at least the next week. The Los Angeles native was a 20th-rounder in 2016 who hasn’t played above Double-A ball yet. He owns a .265/.326/.357 line with 15 home runs in 1,392 minor league plate appearances.
May 6, 2021
In the end, Albert Pujols’s Angels career ended not with a retirement tour or a standing ovation, but with a DFA.
The Angels released the future Hall of Famer on Thursday, bringing an unceremonious end to Pujols’s tenure with the team fewer than five months before the expiration of his 10-year contract. In a statement, team owner Arte Moreno said the organization was “honored that he has worn an Angels jersey” and called Pujols an “inspiration to athletes everywhere.”
Though we have yet to hear from Pujols since the decision was made, his release reportedly has to do with the issue of playing time. General manager Perry Minasian said the team’s intention is to have Jared Walsh and Shohei Ohtani in the lineup daily at first base and designated hitter, respectively, narrowing Pujols’s pathway to regular at-bats, per Mike DiGiovanna of the
MLB Trade Rumors
The
Mike Mayers on the injured list and recalled lefty
Patrick Sandoval. No reason was given for Mayers’ IL placement, but the team expects him to return in the next few days, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register was among those to report. That information implies Mayers’ absence is related to COVID-19. The 29-year-old Mayers broke out as part of the Angels’ bullpen in 2020 and has continued his effectiveness this season with 14 1/3 innings of 2.51 ERA/3.63 SIERA pitching and 18 strikeouts against six walks.
Twins/Angels Games Postponed Due To COVID-19 Issues
8:03pm CDT
8:03PM: Sunday’s game will also not take place, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register (via Twitter).
7:53PM: Talking to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya and other reporters, Baldelli confirmed Garlick’s positive test. Another unnamed player has also tested positive, as well as the aforementioned staff member on Friday.
7:13PM:
Kyle Garlick has tested positive for COVID-19, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (Twitter link), and “the Twins have concern there could be additional positives within their group.” At least one Twins player tested positive for COVID-19 today, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. The virus problems don’t seem to be related to Simmons’ case, as The Athletic’s Dan Hayes reports that Simmons hasn’t been around the team since Tuesday, and contact tracing revealed “little crossover” between the shortstop and the currently-affected
Remainder of Twins/Angels series postponed
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This is a developing story.
The team resumed play uninterrupted, finishing off a homestand and traveling to Los Angeles. Now, however, they’ll take a pause of indeterminate length.
Twins-Angels game postponed due to COVID-19 issues with Twins. Ken Rosenthal (@Ken Rosenthal) April 17, 2021
In postgame pressers since Simmons’ positive test, members of the staff noted that the next few days would be a bit up in the air as the organization utilized contact-tracing protocol to isolate any worry spots. The official communication from the Twins seems to reiterate that point:
Tonight’s scheduled game between the Angels and #MNTwins at Angel Stadium has been postponed to allow for continued testing and contact tracing involving members of the Twins organization. Major League Baseball will continue to provide updates as available. Dustin Morse (@morsecode) April 17, 2021