The Angels announced a set of roster moves today, including the placement of middle infielder David Fletcher on the 15-day injured list with a left hip strain. Lefty Kenny Rosenberg was optioned to Triple-A, and outfielder Jose Rojas was placed on the injured list for an unspecified reason, implying a COVID-19 issue. Joining the active roster are outfielder Aaron Whitefield (as reported earlier today) and infielder Luis Rengifo.
This is already the second time Fletcher has been sidelined by a hip strain this season, and he will be visiting a specialist on Monday to determine the extent of the problem. Fletcher received cortisone shots during his first IL stint, and while the problem “hasn’t really gotten worse, it just wasn’t as good as we thought the injection would make it,” he told reporters, including Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times. A next step won’t be known until Fletcher’s doctor visit, and it is possible surgery might be required. Fletcher is hopeful that such a procedure wouldn’t put his season in jeopardy, as “hopefully I’ll get it fixed and be back pretty soon.”
The Halos have become pretty accustomed to playing without Fletcher thus far in 2022, though Matt Duffy’s ongoing presence on the COVID-related injured list will further complicate matters. Rengifo’s call-up will give the Angels an extra infielder to join Tyler Wade, Andrew Velazquez, and Jack Mayfield in juggling the second base and shortstop duties.
While Anaheim may have enough offense in the rest of the lineup to get by with more of a defensive focus up the middle, it does make for an imperfect situation even if Fletcher is able to return. Fletcher (understandably) hasn’t hit much in his limited playing time this season, and batted only .262/.297/.324 over 665 plate appearances in 2021. It was a big step backwards from Fletcher’s very impressive 120 OPS+/122 wRC+ performance in the shortened 2020 campaign, or even his closer-to-league average numbers in 2019. If Fletcher does require surgery and need to miss a good chunk of the remaining season, the middle infield would seem like a natural trade deadline target area for the Angels if they remain in contention.
This hurts bad. With Velasquez at short and Fletcher at second, that was a great infield.
If Fletcher has to have surgery, they’ve got to get a second baseman.
I think you meant SS. Angels have like 5 guys who can play a competent 2B, and only one that can play a competent SS (that unfortunately can’t hit). Is it too early for the Xander sweepstakes to commence yet?
Never gonna happen. Ohtani and Syndergaard need to be resigned.
I meant for the current season (i.e. via trade). Seems to be a forgone conclusion Xander will opt out of his current contract after this season and Boston will probably be open to flipping him if their season continues on its current trajectory.
Wrong. Fletcher is second base. Velasquez is the SS. And yes the Angels have backups at that position, but none can hit.
I would call them great. Velazquez has the lowest UZR/150 rating compared to Fletcher and Wade at SS position.. This is mostly because errors. The goal of the game is the outscore the opponent. You can do this by saving runs with the glove or adding value to run expectancy with the bat.
If we look at the DRS defensively and add the RE24 offensively.
Velazquez = 5 DRS, -5.4 RE24. So in total we lost 0.4 runs if Velasquez was average defender and average hitter.
Fletcher = 5 DRS (3 at SS, 2 at 2B), -3.6 RE24, so 1.4 runs earned
Wade = 1 DRS (2 at SS, -1 at 2B), 0.8 RE24 so net of 1.8 runs
If healthy, Fletcher would be the best option. A gimpy Fletcher might still be the best option if he played in an equal number of games.
I wouldn’t call them great*
I dont car what these limited numbers show. I want Velasquez there for his superior fielding. Yes, he will make the occasional bad throw. But his range and glove is far superior to Fletcher. That position is too important. If everyone else hits the way they are capable, I dont care if Velasquez is a Belanger/ Maxvill./Belliard.
I dont think people would have a problem with him if he were a gold glover like Belanger or if he could hit like Belanger. Velazquez pales in comparison on both counts. He has no power, yet somehow manages to strike out 30% of the time. He has speed and bats in the 9 hole, yet somehow is 2nd on the team in grounded into double plays,
For sure FahQ, we need Velasquez to at least get on base at a decent level, for the big guys on top. If not, time to look for a SS in house or out soon.
If he hits eighth, it’s not that big a deal.
Do they sign Cano for ML minimum and take a low cost chance?
what is the difference between the 10 and 15 day IL for position players? i thought the 15 was specifically for pitchers and pirates C perez just went on the 10 for a more serious injury, yet fletch goes to the 15?
Thanks for asking so I don’t have to ask! I thought 15 was for pitchers and 10 for position. I’ll hang up and wait for my answer.
10 day is Covid I thought
David Fletcher’s Dad, Irwin R. Fletcher played for the Lakers with Kareem and Magic back in the 80’s.
He was 6’5”….. 6’9” with the Afro.
Irwin R Schister?
Nah, that’s Bray Wyatt’s Dad.
Joeitall- You’re right. I remember the interview The late great Chick Hearn did with him on TV.
Fletcherfan69 gotta be crying now
Oof. All this time my dirty mind read his name as fletcherfan69 and not fletcherfan60. At least I caught before anyone else.
This is what was going on with mookie last year. Little dudes that can hit the ball really hard for their size, which unfortunately that torque on the hip is rough.
Has Wade made an error yet? He has the record for most games played at SS without an error to begin his career. Think it was around 60 something. When Duffy comes back to 2B back I would start wade over glove first Velasquez. Velasquez has been great in the field though.
Fletcher does not hit the ball hard… lol he has one of the lowest if not the lowest exit velo in the league
Maybe something like a bad hip will do that. But ya I’m sure that means he’s not even trying to swing hard too cockmeister
We need to call up Stefanic now.
He can provide a boost to the lineup and give Velasquez like defense.
I’ve read somewhere that Stefanic has not gotten the call yet specifically because of his defense (or lack thereof).
Yeah it’s his defense that is limiting his opportunities. I was at the game yesterday when Velasquez flipped the ball to second with his glove. It was even more impressive in person.
With this pitching staff, you gotta have a solid up the middle defense.
I am not as enamored with Velasquez as a lot of you defense stat analysis eggheads. The dude flat cannot hit. Or even get on base for that matter. Yeah given he’s got great range for sure. But I’d put his arm at just a tick above average and he has made a couple of bone head plays. Two errors in last 3 games. I would prefer the Angels play just about anyone they have over him (unless it’s a late game defensive replacement) instead of a guy who can’t hit his weight. And he is listed at a generous 170.
I agree Red, at minimum with the current guys on the roster, and not on IL. I’d like to see wade in a majority platoon since he’ll see more time as a lefty. I know Velasquez is switch, but I’d have him only in vs. LH starters, and as a D replacement late in games also.
No that was his uncle, Fletch F. Fletch. “He was actually 6’5″ with the afro, 6’9″.” (Chick Hearn)
Let’s go! Let’s win a series vs. the Rays and that pesky team for a change. I think it’s been a couple years.
The Angels need to trade for Bumgarner ASAP.
We need a true Ace to help the rotation and win series. He also has excellent postseason experience.
Ohtani isn’t a true ace?
too risky, umpires are somewhat mesmerized by the softness of MadBum’s hands.
Detmers is on the mound today against the Rays. He needs to step up his game a bit. He’s the weak link in the rotation.
Welp, looks like Detmers stepped it up tonight. He’s smoking the Rays.