BOSTON — Jorge Soler was in the middle of conducting an interview with the help of bullpen catcher Manny Del Campo, who serves at the team’s Spanish interpreter, when he suddenly gave a very simple answer in English.
Asked how he felt at the plate lately, Soler said: “Bad.”
The numbers tell the same story. Before Soler left Wednesday’s game with groin tightness, he had hit .188 with a .558 OPS in his past 28 games. There was a moment a couple of weeks ago, when he said Angels hitting coaches had helped him make a useful adjustment, but now he’s searching again.
“I think I have another issue,” Soler said through Del Campo. “But I’m working on it. Doing drills. I’m going to be there soon.”
Manager Ron Washington, who said he expects Soler back in the lineup on Friday, also said he’s seen signs of a turnaround.
“It looks like he’s starting to get more comfortable,” Washington said. “He’s not chasing as much. He’s still a little late on the fastball, but I think with his experience, it’s going to pick back up. What I see right now, he’s putting real good at-bats together. … I’m looking for him to take off there pretty soon.”
Soler has been in a slump since the day after he hit the 197th homer of his career on May 1. Since then, he’s hit just two homers.
“Obviously, that’s in my head, but I’m not going to the plate and trying to hit homers,” Soler said. “I’m trying to get singles and that’s what’s going to make me feel good.”
Lately, Soler has had another challenge. Mike Trout’s return to the lineup in the designated hitter spot has pushed Soler into the right field. He started in right Wednesday for the fifth time in six games on the trip. He has started 19 games in the outfield this season.
“So far I’m doing great,” Soler said of his outfield play. “I feel great. I’m getting my prepared differently now. I’ll be better.”
Washington was the third-base coach in Atlanta in 2021, when Soler played 50 games in the outfield with the Braves. Eric Young Sr., the Angels’ first-base coach, was also on the staff there.
“I think he surprised every one of you guys,” Washington said. “He surprised you. He’s not surprising me. He’s not surprising EY. We’ve seen him play outfield. Yes, I think if you run him out there too long, it may become detrimental, but he’s a veteran, and he’s in a stretch right now where he has to play a little bit of outfield. Mentally, he’s ready to do it.”
So far Soler has handled the routine plays. The only questionable moment was Saturday in Cleveland. He dove for a ball that he had little chance to catch, instead of pulling up and holding the hitter to a single.
“I love the effort, so I’m not going to question what happened,” Washington said Saturday.
It remains to be seen how much longer the Angels will need Soler on defense. Trout still hasn’t worked out in the outfield since going on the injured list. Washington said the plan is for him to begin some outfield workouts this weekend.
“When he will get to the outfield to play, that’s still up in the air,” Washington said.
ANGRY WORDS
Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson and several coaches from both the Angels and Boston Red Sox engaged in a brief shouting match on the field before Wednesday’s game.
The argument dissipated quickly, and then Red Sox manager Alex Cora had a calm conversation with Anderson.
After the game, the Angels referred comments on the incident to Washington, who said he didn’t even know what started the argument.
“What I can tell you is baseball talk,” Washington said. “Things happen like that. I don’t know what else to say. There’s no grudge against both teams. So just some baseball talk.”
NOTES
All-Star voting began Wednesday. The Angels’ candidates on the ballot are catcher Logan O’Hoppe, first baseman Nolan Schanuel, shortstop Zach Neto, third baseman Yoán Moncada, outfielders Taylor Ward, Jo Adell and Trout and DH Soler. The first phase of balloting ends June 26. Voting is conducted on the official MLB site. …
Right-hander Connor Brogdon has allowed one unearned run in 6⅔ innings in his past seven games, with six strikeouts and one walk. Brogdon’s average fastball is up to 97 this month, compared with 94 mph in April at Triple-A. “What I’m seeing right now is what I’ve seen on his fastball when he was with Philly, when he was a big part of that Philadelphia bullpen,” Washington said. Brogdon had a 3.55 ERA with the Phillies, from 2020 to 2023.
UP NEXT
Mariners (TBD) at Angels (RHP Kyle Hendricks, 2-6, 5.34 ERA), Friday, 6:38 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM