The Angels announced that they have placed utility player David Fletcher on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 31, with a left ankle sprain. The club recalled outfielder Taylor Ward in a corresponding move.
Tied for an American League-worst 12-25, there’s not much left to play for over the final few weeks of the season for the Angels. Nevertheless, it’s unfortunate to see Fletcher go down. After breaking out last year with a 3.4-fWAR showing and a .290/.350/.384 line in 653 plate appearances, Fletcher has been even stronger on offense this season with a .313/.377/.438 slash and almost as many walks (16) as strikeouts (17) across 162 PA.
As was the case in 2019, the 26-year-old Fletcher has added to his value by performing capably at multiple positions. Most of Fletcher’s work has come at shortstop, but he has also played five-plus games at second and third. He has combined for seven Defensive Runs Saved among those three spots.
Why Ward? Walsh can play OF Let’s see Matt Thaiss at 1B
Well that sucks. He was like the heart beat for the team. And they made it seem like it wasn’t too bad of an injury…just our luck. Looks like I will be ready for football early like usual. It’s rough to be a Halos fan. Does anyone have any ideas on why we don’t seem to get pitching? Like good starting pitching. Do players think the Angels are cursed? I just don’t get it. The writing has been on the wall (and scoreboard) for many seasons. Like the team, I am looking for ideas/answers at this point.
Our bullpen has been awful. The SP is not as bad as some on here would have you believe.
Maddon isn’t the answer, trust me. Most overrated in baseball. Tampa sure hasn’t missed him, a bit. He’s about Joe. I guarantee the Cubs are happy to have Ross in the job.
But….. maybe the Cubs would be happy to shed a little salary, and trade the Angels Kris Bryant – for Fletcher and a young arm.
Bryant for Fletcher and a young arm??
Bahahahaha!!!
1) Angels have a 3B named Rendon.
2) Angels don’t have young arms.
3) Fletcher will be the Angels leadoff hitter and starting 2B/SS the next 3-4+ years.
4) Angels don’t need more bad salaries.
are you happy flaunting your stupidity?
No manager is going to fix the Angels problems with bringing up good starting pitching. When the Angels were making playoffs almost every year, from 2002-2009, they were calling up John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver, and Joe Saunders. And they had that great bullpen year in and year out. Mike Scioscia had the pieces he needed to work with at the time. The success they had at the time was the result of good drafting, sticking to their farm system, while spending to supplement that. The Angels are in a position right now where their young starting pitching is too young and still needs to establish itself. Maddon isn’t going to magically turn them into a top contender. It begins with the front office. Managers are mainly figureheads for the clubhouse and PR.
Replace one utility man with another! Why does LA have so many utility guys? Walsh, ward, Fletcher, Shohei, thaiss…
I agree with DGHalos714 in that Fletcher is the heart and soul of the team. He will be sorely missed. Get well soon, David.
Wish we still had La Stella.