TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels will try just about anything to squeeze better performance out of their players after 10 consecutive losing seasons.
This year, they’re adding a clubhouse cell phone ban to the list.
Manager Ron Washington instituted a rule earlier this spring prohibiting players from being on their cell phones while in the clubhouse, and Washington said Wednesday that he’s extended it to the regular season.
“It’s not punishment,” Washington said. “It’s just trying to keep them focused.”
Washington said players are free to go outside the clubhouse to use their phones. Veterans, led by Mike Trout, are in charge of enforcing the rule. Washington said he had a similar rule when he managed the Texas Rangers.
Zach Neto said there might have been some skepticism when Washington first told them of the rule during the meeting before the first full-squad workout, but they’ve come around.
“It was like ‘Whatever, Skip,’” Neto said. “Honestly, looking at it after about a month, I think for me personally and I know other guys have said it, it’s actually brought the team way closer. Everybody is talking to each other and having conversation. I think it’s pretty special.”
Veteran left-hander Tyler Anderson said it’s not only helpful to get players to interact with each other, but to keep them from just sitting at their seats in the clubhouse.
“It keeps guys out moving, instead of just sitting there doing nothing,” Anderson said. “I feel like doing nothing is a big deterrent to success. It’s easy to sit there and think, I have five minutes to kill, I’m going to sit down and kill 30 minutes on Instagram. I think it’s good for productivity.”
LINEUP TALK
Washington promised last week that Wednesday’s lineup would be as close to an Opening Day lineup as we’ve seen all spring, and when he unveiled it, the most surprising part was Nolan Schanuel hitting second, between Taylor Ward and Mike Trout.
Washington said he sees Luis Rengifo as a No. 2 hitter at some point, but for now he’s still trying to find his swing after missing so much time this spring with an illness and hamstring injury.
“Rengifo is going to be there, but until Rengifo starts getting himself together, because right now he’s trying to hit, and I need somebody to think,” Washington said. “So that’s why I have Schanuel hitting second.”
Washington said he trusts Schanuel to bunt, which he won’t hesitate to do in the right situation.
“If he’s swinging the bat well, he’s a guy I can trust to swing the bat,” Washington said. “If it’s a situation in the ballgame where we need to tack on runs and Mike and (Jorge) Soler are coming up, he’s bunting.”
After Ward, Schanuel, Trout and Soler, Washington filled out the rest of the Wednesday lineup with catcher Logan O’Hoppe, second baseman Tim Anderson, third baseman Rengifo, center fielder Jo Adell and shortstop Kevin Newman.
Yoán Moncada is supposed to be the third baseman – which would move Rengifo to second – but he’s still dealing with a bruised right thumb. He is still unable to hit or throw, but he’ll start as soon as he can tolerate the pain. Moncada said he is planning to be ready Opening Day on March 27.
Washington said he isn’t concerned about Moncada having enough at-bats at the end of spring to be sharp.
“If he can be on the field, I’ll wait for his bat to come,” Washington said. “His presence is good. If he’s not swinging, he will take walks. He’s still making things happen.”
NETO UPDATE
Neto, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, said he’s now throwing and hitting every day, alternating the heavy and light days. He said he began taking some batting practice off the machine Tuesday, which gets him closer to facing game-speed velocity.
Neto still hasn’t faced live pitching, but he said that’s coming “hopefully soon.” He’s been throwing from shortstop to first, but he’ll need to expand that to work on throws from the hole and relays.
Neto is expected back sometime in April. He said he has no idea beyond that.
“I feel really great with my shoulder and where it’s at,” Neto said. “I’m feeling way stronger since when I first walked in here. I’m trusting our training staff and our coaches to get me in the right spot. Just kind of trusting their word and doing whatever they say. I’m feeling great every day I walk in here. So, hopefully, knocking on wood, no setbacks.”
NOTES
Right-hander Robert Stephenson, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, just returned from a few days out with an illness. He said he lost six pounds. Stephenson has gotten up to 92 mph with his fastball, and next week he’s expecting to start throwing breaking balls and changeups in bullpen sessions. He’ll start facing hitters sometime in April. Stephenson, who is on the 60-day injured list, is eligible to return in late May. …
Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz is pitching in a minor-league game Thursday, so minor-leaguer Joel Hurtado is starting in the major-league exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox. The Angels wanted to have Kochanowicz pitch in a more controlled environment so they can ensure he gets to the pitch count he needs, Washington said. …
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, the Angels’ Opening Day starter, was originally planning for his final spring training start to be a minor-league game, but now he’s pitching against the Colorado Rockies on Friday. “Going into the season, he needs to have his mind stimulated,” Washington said. “And his mind is not going to get stimulated on the backfield.”