ANAHEIM — Once merely surviving, the Angels’ bullpen is now thriving, and the monthlong transformation has been made possible by a left-hander chasing a completely different role and a right-hander who was essentially out of work just over five weeks ago. Fate works in fascinating ways, although it might not have been easy to see the road ahead when Reid Detmers was ruled out … [Read more...] about Hunter Strickland, Reid Detmers have Angels’ bullpen thriving
Swanson: Does it matter that Justin Herbert’s many gifts don’t include gab?
EL SEGUNDO — What if your star quarterback just … isn’t a star? In terms of a limelight-loving, big-box-office ticket, capital-P Personality? Watching the film of Chargers QB Justin Herbert giving curt, calorie-free answers at his news conference after Wednesday’s minicamp session, I actually wondered for the first time whether those folks had been onto something in 2020, when … [Read more...] about Swanson: Does it matter that Justin Herbert’s many gifts don’t include gab?
Fractured toe gave Dodgers’ Mookie Betts a chance to look for answers
Mookie Betts spent the first two months of the season banging his head against a wall, trying to figure out what was wrong with his swing. Walking into a wall might have worked better. Since suffering a fractured toe during a middle-of-the-night mishap, Betts has put up numbers more like he expects from himself – a .351 batting average (13 for 31) and a .901 OPS in nine games … [Read more...] about Fractured toe gave Dodgers’ Mookie Betts a chance to look for answers
Angels to promote top prospect Christian Moore
The Angels will promote top prospect Christian Moore to the majors on Friday in Baltimore, a source confirmed on Thursday afternoon. Moore, 22, was hitting .350 with a .999 OPS in 20 games at Triple-A Salt Lake. He began the season at Double-A Rocket City, hitting .234 with a .665 OPS in his first 34 games. It seems likely that Moore will get regular playing time at second … [Read more...] about Angels to promote top prospect Christian Moore
Lakers’ Dorian Finney-Smith reportedly has surgery on left ankle
Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith reportedly had surgery to address left ankle ailments, but is expected to participate when training camp starts in the fall. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on Thursday that Finney-Smith underwent the procedure that will allow Finney-Smith to play “pain-free” after having lingering left ankle ailments. Finney-Smith, 31, was initially on a … [Read more...] about Lakers’ Dorian Finney-Smith reportedly has surgery on left ankle