ANAHEIM — A sure sign of the Angels’ outfield depth is that the Pacific Coast League home run leader did not even make his season debut in the major leagues until Thursday.
After hitting 18 home runs at Triple-A Salt Lake, Jo Adell finally made a start for the Angels on Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs, playing right field and batting sixth.
Adell actually was on the active roster Wednesday after Hunter Renfroe went on the paternity list, but he did not play after his afternoon flight to Long Beach Airport kept him from arriving at the ballpark until game time.
Adell got his chance to start Thursday one day after Mickey Moniak started in right field and helped nail down a 6-2 victory over the Cubs with a three-run double in the sixth inning and some strong defense.
“The outfield depth in this organization right now is crazy,” Moniak said, rattling off a list of his teammates who patrol the grass beyond the infield. “It’s just a testament to the talent we’ve got. If one man goes down, the next guy is ready to go. It’s not like there’s a hole in the lineup.”
Adell is ready to be that next man, but he isn’t expected to get much time during this visit to the major leagues. Renfroe and his wife welcomed a baby girl on Wednesday night, and he is expected to return Saturday.
Adell is trying to take the crowded major league roster in stride.
“I think it’s like the me-versus-me thing,” said Adell, who has also shown improvement with his outfield defense. “I’m competing against myself. I’m not trying to size up other players. There are a lot of good players. Good teams have good players. I think for me, whatever my role is, wherever I fit into the mix, be happy about that.”
That decision to challenge himself served Adell well after he was sent to Triple-A despite a solid run in spring training. Instead of disappointment, he hit seven home runs over his first nine games with Salt Lake. He finished April with 10 home runs and hit eight more since.
“I think the big thing is that our approach this year as a team is go out and do what you do best,” Adell said about his time at Salt Lake. “For me, it’s been my power numbers. I have been able to put the ball in the air more consistently this year to this point. So I’m hoping to bring that to the table as a strong suit for me.”
Even before playing in Thursday’s game, Adell made an impression with his pregame work.
“I watched him do his defensive work earlier and he looks great,” Manager Phil Nevin said. “Somebody came in and said ‘Wow, he looks like a really good major league outfielder.’ It’s just a credit to the work he put in both in spring training and on his own this offseason. We’re looking forward to watching him play and there are a lot of good reasons why.”
DAY OF REST
After playing two games in his return from a groin injury that sidelined him for more than three weeks, third baseman Anthony Rendon was given the day off. Gio Urshela was at third base and batting fifth.
“With no rehab assignment, we’re getting him in and out of games here and I’m going to be as careful as I can,” Nevin said. “He had two (games) on and one off and maybe we’ll do it again here in the (upcoming) Seattle series. We’ll see how he feels after that.”
Rendon does not have a hit in six at-bats since he returned as he tries to find the form that helped him to a 19-for-48 stretch (.396) before his injury.
FEELING FINE
Nevin said recent stomach bugs for both outfielder Taylor Ward and right-hander Jamie Barria were isolated incidents likely linked to meals outside of the clubhouse and not a virus.
After missing Wednesday’s game, Ward was back in the lineup Thursday playing left field and batting in the leadoff spot. Barria pitched five solid innings Wednesday after first feeling under the weather Tuesday.
UP NEXT
Mariners (RHP Luis Castillo, 4-3, 2.55 ERA) at Angels (RHP Shohei Ohtani 5-2, 3.30), Friday, 6:38 p.m., Apple TV+, 830 AM