With their pitching staff ravaged by injuries and COVID, the Angels will not announce the starter for Friday’s home game against the San Diego Padres until Friday.
One of the possibilities, José Quintana, was used for two innings of relief Thursday, so it’s anyone’s guess who will start.
Even if the Angels do use a pitcher who is stretched out to start – such as left-hander Packy Naughton – it could still look like a bullpen game.
The Angels currently have only three healthy starters: Shohei Ohtani, Jaime Barria and José Suarez. Ohtani and Barria pitched Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, and Suarez will start Saturday.
The Angels have a rare Sunday off day, but then they’ll need to scramble for another starter on Monday night, unless they want Ohtani to pitch on four days of rest for the first time in his major-league career.
Dylan Bundy (right shoulder strain) and Patrick Sandoval (left lumbar spine stress reaction) are hurt. Reid Detmers is on the injured list without a designation, a sign that he’s likely on the COVID-related injured list.
Chris Rodriguez is on the Triple-A injured list with a lat strain. Manager Joe Maddon had no update on his status when asked Wednesday.
“When you have to start making adaptations this time of the year, under the circumstances, you try to figure it out the best you can, knowing that it can or cannot work out or may not work out,” Maddon said. “It’s just that the group is so scattered a bit, and you have new faces showing up all the time. It’s difficult.”
ADELL IN LEFT
Although Jo Adell played mostly right field in the majors last season, Justin Upton’s calf injury has lately allowed him to get more time in left field.
“It’s a comfort zone for Jo,” Maddon said. “That’s his favorite spot, on that side. It’s all based on how do you see the ball? How do you see the play? And he likes that side. It’s not that he’s opposed to the other side, but he likes left field.”
NOTES
Upton was out of the lineup for the third straight game because of the calf issue. Maddon, however, said Upton was well enough to pinch-hit, so the Angels have not placed him on the injured list. …
Baseball America released the results of its annual survey of the “best tools” in the majors. Ohtani was selected as the player with the best power, the fastest baserunner and the most exciting player in the American League. Second baseman David Fletcher was named the best hit-and-run artist.
UP NEXT
Angels (TBD) vs. Padres (TBD), Friday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM
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