Ohtani expected to start for Los Angeles against Texas
The Rangers will start Jordan Lyles on Tuesday while the Angels are expected to counter with Shohei OhtaniAPRIL 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
FÉLIX PEÑA
Arihara expected to start for Texas at Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Angels face the Texas RangersAPRIL 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shoemaker expected to start for Twins at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels host the Minnesota TwinsAPRIL 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ready to return Pena (hamstring) is physically ready to come off the injured list, but the Angels have yet to determine who he will replace on the active roster, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic repo...
Impact Pena went on the 10-day IL on March 31 and has been eligible to return since last weekend. Though he appears physically capable of rejoining the big-league bullpen, it remains to be seen how soon that will happen given the team's uncertainty about who to send down. While the Angels are off to an 8-5 start, their 4.18 bullpen ERA is ranked 15th in MLB.
APRIL 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Heaney scheduled to start for Angels against Twins
The Los Angeles Angels play the Minnesota TwinsAPRIL 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Keller scheduled to start for Kansas City against Los Angeles
The Kansas City Royals host the Los Angeles AngelsAPRIL 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cobb expected to start for Angels at Royals
The Los Angeles Angels visit the Kansas City RoyalsAPRIL 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blue Jays look to stop 4-game skid
Toronto heads into the matchup against Los Angeles in a rut, losers of four straightAPRIL 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Close to return Pena is "very close to being ready again," per manager Joe Maddon, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact Pena was placed on the injured list March 31 due to a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, but he appears to be doing well in his recovery and may make his return to the big club soon. It's unclear, however, where the right-hander would slot in the team's bullpen depth chart as the Angels brought in both Tony Watson and Steve Cishek near the end of spring training while rookie Chris Rodriguez has looked strong in relief.
APRIL 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Blue Jays look to end 3-game slide
Toronto will try to break its three-game losing streak when the Blue Jays take on Los AngelesAPRIL 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blue Jays to start Stripling against Los Angeles in home opener
The Toronto Blue Jays host the Los Angeles Angels for the 2021 home openerAPRIL 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bundy expected to start for the Angels against the Astros
The Houston Astros take on the Los Angeles AngelsAPRIL 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shifts to 10-day IL Pena (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.
Impact The right-hander has been recovering from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain over the past couple weeks, so it's not a major surprise he's starting the season on the shelf. Pena could rejoin the Angels within the first couple weeks of the season if all goes well in his recovery.
APRIL 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Plays catch, still out 2-to-4 weeks Pena (hamstring) played catch from 90 feet Friday but is still expected to be out past Opening Day, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact Pena exited a game March 15 after suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, further hindering an Angels bullpen that is already beset by injuries. Though he is back to playing catch, the right-hander isn't likely to be ready to return by the start of the campaign.
MARCH 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Out with hamstring strain Pena was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined 2-to-4 weeks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Impact The 31-year-old exited Monday's spring game due to the injury and underwent an MRI on Tuesday. Opening Day is just over two weeks away, so Pena likely be unavailable for the start of the season and could land on the injured list. However, the right-hander shouldn't missed too much time if he can avoid any setbacks during his recovery.
MARCH 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Getting MRI Pena (hamstring) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact Pena received an initial diagnosis of right hamstring tightness when he exited his outing in Monday's game against the Reds, but the Angels will send him for further tests to get a clearer idea on the severity of his injury. If Pena is determined to have suffered a hamstring strain, he could have a tough time gaining clearance for Opening Day.
MARCH 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dealing with hamstring issue Pena left Monday's game against Cincinnati with right hamstring irritation.
Impact Pena's initial diagnosis isn't anything too worrisome, though it's possible that diagnosis gets updated following further tests. The righty looks set to win a bullpen role if healthy.
MARCH 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Exits with undisclosed injury Pena left Monday's game against the Reds with an undisclosed injury, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Impact He walked gingerly off the mound, and we will await word from the team regarding the nature of the injury. Pena was poised to secure a spot in the middle of the bullpen.
MARCH 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Slimmed down for spring Pena lost 15-20 pounds over the winter, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Impact The weight loss is unlikely to have a major effect on Pena's performance, but it does perhaps signal a commitment to his craft for the coming campaign. The right-hander was used exclusively as a reliever last season and figures to hold a prominent role in the Angels bullpen again in 2021 behind new closer Raisel Iglesias.
FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Avoids arbiter with Angels Pena and the Angels avoided arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million deal, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Impact Pena was a serviceable relief option for the Angels in 2020, saving a pair of games while posting a 4.05 ERA in 26.2 innings. He won't be a favorite for saves in 2021 but could add at least a few more to his career total of three if the newly acquired Raisel Iglesias stumbles or gets injured.
JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Secures second save Pena allowed one hit and had zero strikeouts and zero walks during a scoreless ninth inning to record the save Wednesday against the Padres.
Impact The 30-year-old entered after Mike Mayers gave up a leadoff single and surrendered a single to the first batter he faced, but he retired the next three hitters with little fanfare. Pena has five holds and has converted two of five save chances with a 3.71 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 29:6 K:BB across 26.2 innings.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Blows save chance, earns win Pena was tagged with a blown save but managed to pick up the win in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Astros. He pitched one inning and gave up three runs on four hits...
Impact Pena successfully converted his first save of the season Thursday and was called upon again with the Angels up by a run in the seventh and final frame of Game 1 on Saturday. The right-hander quickly gave up the lead after Myles Straw doubled and Michael Brantley singled him home, then allowed Houston to pull ahead on a two-out single by Martin Maldonado. However, the Angels were able to plate three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to grab a comeback victory and hand Pena a fortunate win. Ty Buttrey was effective in closing out a one-run win in Game 2 of the twin bill, so it may be sensible to see who gets the next save opportunity before making an assumption about which of the two relievers will function as the Angels' primary closer moving forward.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Notches first save Pena earned the save against San Diego on Thursday, pitching one perfect inning and registering one strikeout.
Impact Pena has been perhaps the most effective Angels reliever this season, and he was rewarded with a save opportunity in a two-run game. The right-hander proved up to the challenge, needing only nine pitches (six strikes) to retired the Padres in order. It is unclear if regular closer Ty Buttrey was unavailable due to his recent usage -- he pitched three of the previous four days and took the loss while giving up three runs and throwing 15 pitches Wednesday -- but there is certainly a chance that Pena will receive more save opportunities moving forward. In 19.1 innings this season, he has notched a 1.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Giolito fans 13 in no-hitter, White Sox blank Pirates 4-0
AUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Angels beat Astros 12-5 to split DH caused by hurricane
Brian Goodwin drove in three runs, including a two-run single as part of a four-run first as the Los Angeles Angels snapped a three-game losing streak with a 12-5 win over the Hous...AUGUST 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
