Estevez (5-2) took the loss and blew a save against the Mariners on Thursday, allowing four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three batters over one inning.
Estevez entered the contest a perfect 23-for-23 in save opportunities, but that fantastic run came to an end Thursday. The right-hander walked the first two batters he faced before a Dominic Canzone single loaded the bases. Estevez bounced back to strike out Teoscar Hernandez but then saw the game turn on its head when Cade Marlowe belted a grand slam on an 0-2 pitch. Estevez probably isn't yet in danger of losing his closing gig given his strong overall results this season, though he's struggled of late, allowing nine runs over four frames across his past three appearances.
Ohtani (hand) said after leaving his start Thursday versus the Mariners that he's not sure whether he'll need to skip a turn in the rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani was removed as a pitcher after just four innings (59 pitches) after experiencing cramping in his right middle finger. It is something that has lingered over the last week, but he did remain in Thursday's game as the Angels' designated hitter and went 2-for-2 with a solo homer, two walks and two runs scored in what was a 5-3 victory. He tallied four strikeouts in his four scoreless innings on the mound, scattering three hits and one walk.
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Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Pulled as pitcher with cramps
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Ohtani was removed from his start Thursday versus the Mariners due to cramping in his right hand and fingers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani began feeling the cramps in the top of the fourth inning, though he stayed in the game as the Angels' designated hitter and drew a walk in the bottom of that same frame. Then came an intentional walk, a stolen base and a run scored in the bottom of the sixth, followed by his 40th homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth. He also laced a single to right in the bottom of the first, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs at the dish. The two-way superstar finished his pitching duties having scattered three hits and one walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.
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Angels' Brandon Drury: At least two more rehab games
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Angels manager Phil Nevin said Thursday that Drury (shoulder) will play at least two more minor-league rehab games, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Drury had been aiming to return to the Angels' active roster ahead of Thursday night's series opener against the Mariners, but he still has a bit more work to do with his timing at the plate. On the shelf since late June due to left shoulder inflammation, the 30-year-old infielder has gone 1-for-8 with four strikeouts so far at Triple-A Salt Lake.
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Angels' Mike Trout: Nearing contact swings
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Angels manager Phil Nevin said Thursday that Trout (wrist) will soon advance to contact swings, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Trout has been doing dry swings without issue since Monday and is about ready to take a big step forward in his recovery from July 5 surgery for a left hamate bone fracture. If all continues to go smoothly as he ramps up the intensity of his side work, the 31-year-old superstar could rejoin the playoff-hunting Angels around the middle of August.
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Angels' Brandon Drury: Not activated Thursday
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Drury (shoulder) will not be activated from the injured list Thursday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Thursday had been Drury's target return date, but there's no word of any setback and he will presumably be able to return at some point during the Angels' four-game weekend series against the Mariners. The 30-year-old infielder was sporting an .822 OPS with 14 home runs and 45 RBI through 75 games when he landed on the IL in late June due to left shoulder inflammation.
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Angels' Mickey Moniak: Back in lineup Thursday
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Moniak (foot) is back in the lineup Thursday against the Mariners.
Moniak sat out Wednesday's series finale in Atlanta due to nagging foot soreness, but he will be in center field and bat sixth as the Angels open a four-game set versus Seattle. The 25-year-old former Phillies prospect has broken out to the tune of a .317/.349/.566 batting line with 11 homers and four steals through 55 games (215 plate appearances) this season with the Halos.
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Angels' Jordyn Adams: Has rough big-league debut
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Adams went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and also struggled defensively in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta.
Adams saw his first action as a major-leaguer, starting in center field and batting ninth against Atlanta. In addition to fanning twice in four plate appearances, the 23-year-old also made two ill-advised throws that allowed a runner to take an extra base and misplayed a line drive off the bat of Michael Harris II that was ruled a double. Adams has a reputation as a good defender, so he'll almost certainly be better in that regard, though he's struggled with making contact throughout his minor-league tenure and may have a hard time overcoming that challenge while up in the majors.
Angels' Lucas Giolito: Hammered for nine runs in loss
Rotowire
Giolito (6-8) took the loss Wednesday, allowing nine runs on eight hits and three walks over 3.2 innings against Atlanta. He struck out two.
Giolito served up a three-run home run to Ronald Acuna in the bottom of the third before completely unraveling in the fourth to the tune of six earned runs on four hits, including back-to-back homers from Austin Riley and Matt Olson. The newly acquired right-hander allowed nine earned runs on the afternoon, which matched his career high, while failing to make it through four innings for the second time in his last four starts. His two strikeouts in the contest were also the fewest he's recorded in any start this season.
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Angels' Chase Silseth: Sticking around in rotation
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Silseth is scheduled to start Sunday versus the Mariners at Angel Stadium.
Silseth was expected to lose his spot in the rotation after the Angels acquired Lucas Giolito from the White Sox last week, but the right-hander will end up making two starts this week after Griffin Canning (calf) was unexpectedly scratched Monday before moving to the 15-day injured list a day later. The Angels are hopeful that Canning will be able to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 13, so Silseth's upcoming start could be his last before he heads back to the bullpen or to Triple-A Salt Lake. Silseth has held his own against the Yankees and Atlanta his last two times out, picking up wins on both occasions while striking out 14 and issuing only two walks over 10.2 innings.
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Angels' Jose Suarez: Shut down from rehab stint
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Suarez's minor-league rehab assignment has been shut down due to left shoulder soreness, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Suarez recently kicked off the rehab stint and made two appearances for the Angels' ACL club, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over a combined 3.1 innings. However, he'll now take a step back due to the setback with his shoulder. Angels manager Phil Nevin indicated that the organization isn't concerned that Suarez will need to be held out for a long period, though it's not yet clear when the southpaw will begin throwing again.
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Angels' Mickey Moniak: Nursing sore foot
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Moniak has been dealing with a sore foot, though he's been playing through it, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Moniak reportedly hurt his foot when fouling a ball off it during the Angels' recent series in Toronto. The outfielder isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against Atlanta, but it isn't clear if he's getting a routine maintenance day or if the foot issue necessitated the day off. Jordyn Adams was recently recalled from the minors to provide extra outfield depth, though there's been no indication that Moniak will need to miss any time.
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Angels' Victor Mederos: Heading back to Rocket City
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The Angels optioned Mederos to Double-A Rocket City on Wednesday.
Mederos' stay with the big club lasted just one day, with the young right-hander tossing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to Atlanta. He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Dominic Leone, whom the Angels acquired from the Mets ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.
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Angels' Logan O'Hoppe: Nearing rehab assignment
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Angels manager Phil Nevin said Wednesday that O'Hoppe (shoulder) is on track to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
O'Hoppe advanced to taking live batting practice this past weekend as he continues to make a swift recovery from April surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He'll likely stay on the rehab assignment for close to the maximum 20 days to get fully back into form offensively and defensively, but the promising young catcher could be a contributor again for the playoff-hunting Angels by the end of August.
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Angels' Mickey Moniak: Takes seat Wednesday
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Moniak is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Jordyn Adams will get a look in center field in his first career MLB start while Moniak heads to the bench in what appears to be little more than a routine maintenance day. Moniak had started in every game since July 4, producing an .815 OPS while scoring and driving in 11 runs over a stretch of 21 contests.
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Angels' Mike Moustakas: Gets Wednesday off
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Moustakas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Moustakas looks to be getting some routine maintenance as the Halos close out their series in Atlanta with a day game after a night game. Eduardo Escobar will check in at third base for Moustakas, who is slashing .255/.296/.431 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 27 games since joining the Angels in late June.
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Angels' Matt Thaiss: Sits for day game
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Thaiss is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Thaiss will take a seat for the matinee game after he was behind the plate for all eight innings of the Angels' 5-1 loss Tuesday night. Chad Wallach will catch for starting pitcher Lucas Giolito in the series finale.
