The Angels have made several roster moves, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com was among those to report (Twitter link). The team has placed outfielder Craig Gentry on the 15-day disabled list with a right lumbar spine strain, transferred left-hander C.J. Wilson to the 60-day DL with a shoulder injury, and called up outfielder Shane Robinson and right-hander A.J. Achter from Triple-A Salt Lake. Additionally, they’ve demoted righty Matt Shoemaker to Salt Lake, writes Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.
Gentry, 32, had a rough first month of the season, going 5 for 34 at the plate with just one extra-base hit before landing on the DL. The lion’s share of his playing time came against left-handed pitchers (26 PAs), as expected. Gentry owns a career .268/.350/.357 line in 582 PAs versus southpaws.
Unlike Gentry, Robinson has been better against right-handers than lefties during his major league career, though he hasn’t been particularly effective versus either. In 649 total PAs, Robinson has hit just .237/.302/.313, but he has been a defensive asset in the majors at all three outfield positions. As MLBTR reported Saturday, Robinson has an opt-out in his contract for Monday. The fact that the Angels have recalled Robinson will obviously prevent him from requesting his release.
Achter has tossed 25 1/3 innings of 4.97 ERA ball (7.11 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9) during his big league career, including a scoreless frame for the Angels this season. The 27-year-old has been a success in the minors, compiling 379 1/3 innings of 2.87 ERA pitching to go with a 9.2 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9.
Wilson, by far the most accomplished player of the group, hasn’t yet pitched this season. The 35-year-old was reportedly targeting a mid-June return as of earlier this week. Over his four years with the Angels, Wilson has averaged 181 innings per season with a 3.87 ERA, 7.7 K/9 and 2.03 K/BB ratio.
Shoemaker had a breakout 2014 for the Angels (3.04 ERA, 8.21 K/9, 1.59 BB/9 in 136 innings), but his performance has fallen off precipitously since. The 29-year-old surrendered 21 earned runs in 20 2/3 innings and posted a poor K/BB ratio of 1.6 in April. The Angels won’t need a fifth starter again until May 14, and whether Shoemaker will be on the mound for the club then will be determined by his minors showing.
“We’re going to see where we are in a couple weeks, but no doubt (Shoemaker) needs to work on a couple things,” manager Mike Scioscia said, per Fletcher.
I think Shoes days as a starter with Angels are close to being done. My first choice as a replacement would be to stretch out Rasmus, he won’t be dominant but as a replacement he should do a reasonable job of not giving up too many.
Angels should look at the freak
Really???
I agree , only depth they really have right now other then rasmus is kyle kendrick. I doubt nate smith is ready , or Victor Alcantara