MICHAEL STEFANIC NEWS

Bumped off roster Stefanic was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Impact Stefanic earned a career-high 124 plate appearances in 2024 but maintained just a .556 OPS with zero home runs. Depending on the Angels' offseason moves, Stefanic could be a depth option along the infield in 2025.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Back in lineup Tuesday Stefanic (calf) will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Impact Stefanic hadn't started in any of the last four games after he was removed from Friday's game against the Astros with calf tightness, but he felt well enough to make an appearance off the bench Sunday. His return to the lineup Wednesday indicates that he's healthy, but Stefanic will likely have to settle for more of a part-time role once Brandon Drury is fully recovers from a hamstring injury. Drury is back in the lineup Wednesday as the Angels' designated hitter following a five-game absence.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting down Tuesday Stefanic isn't in the Angels' lineup Tuesday versus the White Sox.

Impact Stefanic appeared as a pinch runner during Sunday's contest, suggesting that he's moved past his calf issue, but he'll grab a seat on the bench Tuesday while Charles Leblanc starts at second base in place of the injured Brandon Drury (hamstring).

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Sunday Stefanic (calf) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Impact Stefanic will be on the bench for a second straight game while he tends to a right calf injury. With Brandon Drury (hamstring) also day-to-day and not included in the lineup, the Angels will have spots available in the infield for Jack Lopez at second base and Eric Wagaman at third base.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Saturday Stefanic (calf) isn't in the Angels' lineup for Saturday's game against Houston, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic made an early exit from Friday's game with what was labeled as minor tightness in his right calf, but it seems to be serious enough to warrant sitting him down Saturday. Jack Lopez will get the starting nod at second base instead and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with minor tightness Stefanic was removed from Friday's game versus the Astros due to right calf tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Ron Washington said after Friday's loss that Stefanic's injury is relatively minor, so an extended absence is unlikely. If he and Brandon Drury (hamstring) are both unable to play Saturday, Jack Lopez would be the favorite to start at second base.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Retreating to bench Wednesday Stefanic is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic will head to the bench after he went 1-for-9 with a walk, a run and an RBI while starting in each of the Angels' previous three games. With Anthony Rendon (oblique) recently landing on the injured list, Stefanic should have a chance at seeing steadier playing time in the Anaheim infield over the final two and a half weeks of the season.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time dropping off Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Though he'll be included in the lineup in the series finale, Stefanic's playing time appears to be drying up after he previously started five and four consecutive games earlier this month. Stefanic has gone just 1-for-24 over his last seven contests and will likely continue to play second fiddle at the keystone to Brandon Drury.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Getting fourth straight start Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Nationals, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Stefanic will pick up his fourth straight start, all of which have come against left-handed pitching. Though he's slashing .462/.500/.538 in eight games since being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on July 30, Stefanic could be limited to a short-side platoon role in the infield now that Anthony Rendon has recently returned from the injured list.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies three hits in Game 2 Stefanic went 3-for-4 with a double and a run Wednesday in Game 2 of a doubleheader split with the Yankees.

Impact Stefanic didn't get into Game 1, but he started the second contest at second base and logged his first three-hit game of the campaign. The infielder has three multi-hit performances over his past four games and has gone 7-for-13 (.538 average) during that span, though only one of the seven knocks has gone for extra bases. Despite his recent solid hitting and .304 average on the season, Stefanic may see less playing time with Anthony Rendon getting activated from the injured list Tuesday.

AUGUST 8 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to lose work with Rendon back Stefanic is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Impact Stefanic had occupied the keystone in four of the Angels' last five games, but his brief run of steady playing time will likely come to an end with the return of Anthony Rendon (back), who was activated from the injured list Tuesday. With Rendon starting at third base in the early game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Brandon Drury will shift from the hot corner to second base while bumping Stefanic back to the bench. The Angels should still have a regular spot in the lineup for Stefanic against left-handed pitching.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Gaining playing time at 2B Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Mets.

Impact Stefanic has now drawn four starts in six games since he was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake. Three of those starts have come against left-handed pitching, but he could end up getting regular work versus righties if the Angels opt to shift Brandon Drury off the keystone and have him fill in at third base while Luis Rengifo (wrist) and Anthony Rendon (back) are on the injured list. Stefanic has recorded a pair of base hits in both of his past two starts, bringing his batting average up to .275 over 40 at-bats with the big club this season.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Back on big-league roster The Angels recalled Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Impact He's taking the roster spot of the injured Anthony Rendon (back). Stefanic could see some action in the infield, especially if the Angels wind up trading Luis Rengifo.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Called up by Halos Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Impact Stefanic spent the first two months of the season on the injured list with a strained left quad but was activated in late May and placed in Triple-A. At Salt Lake City, he slashed .333/.431/.426 in 54 plate appearances and will replace Kyren Paris on the Angels' active roster. Stefanic should mix in at second base until Brandon Drury (hamstring) returns from the IL.

JUNE 8 • ROTOWIRE

Activated, optioned to Triple-A The Angels reinstated Stefanic (quad) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Impact Stefanic has been on the injured list all season due to a left quad strain. He began playing rehab games at rookie ball May 13 and moved to Triple-A on May 21, going 9-for-19 with six RBI in six games with the Bees. He'll remain in Salt Lake despite being fully healthy, and Jose Cisnero (shoulder) will move to the 60-day IL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Stefanic.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Stefanic will sit Saturday against Oakland, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Impact Stefanic sits after starting nine straight games, a run in which he hit .419/.471/.516. Mike Moustakas will take over at third base.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting regular run in infield Stefanic will start at second base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact He'll stick in the lineup for the sixth game in a row and appears poised to receive steady playing time over the final week of the regular season in what could amount to an audition for an everyday role heading into the 2023 campaign. Since being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake a week ago, Stefanic has gone 8-for-18 with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in big leagues Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday.

Impact Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A nearly two weeks ago, but he'll return to the Angels after Kyren Paris (thumb) was placed on the 60-day IL and Jordyn Adams was sent down. Stefanic is slashing .148/.303/.185 with three RBI and four runs scored through 14 games this year.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to minors Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Impact Stefanic was recalled by the Halos on Friday and will return to Salt Lake after going 0-for-6 with two walks and a run in three games during the brief stint in the majors. The 27-year-old has a .488 OPS in 33 big-league plate appearances this season.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A The Angels recalled Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Impact Stefanic will likely operate as a backup on the Angels' infield as he returns to the majors with rosters expanding from 26 to 28. The 27-year-old carries a .195/.290/.232 career batting line in 94 plate appearances at baseball's highest level.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Impact Stefanic has always been known for a strong hit tool and little else, and while he hit .349 at Triple-A this season, he only hit .190 with zero home runs in 25 MLB plate appearances. He was replaced on the active roster by Jordyn Adams.

AUGUST 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and is starting at second base and batting ninth against the Astros.

Impact With Anthony Rendon (bruised shin) and David Fletcher (designated for assignment) out of the picture in the short term, Stefanic could get steady work. The 27-year-old hit .349 with more walks than strikeouts and two home runs in 300 plate appearances in the Pacific Coast League. He can play second base and third base.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Short stay in majors Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Impact Stefanic was recalled by the Angels after the team suffered a flurry of injuries along the infield. However, the team acquired Eduardo Escobar from the Mets and promoted David Fletcher from Salt Lake, leaving Stefanic without a spot on the roster. He collected two hits across seven at-bats with the Angels.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects two hits in season debut Stefanic went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI in a loss to Kansas City on Saturday.

Impact Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday after slashing .347/.446/.449 over 259 plate appearance with the minor-league club. He got the start at second base for the Angels on Saturday and was one of four players on the team with multiple hits, one of which was a sixth-inning double that resulted in his first big-league RBI. It remains to be seen how often Stefanic will play, and he struggled with a .197/.279/.230 slash line over 69 plate appearances in his first cup of coffee in the majors last season. However, he's a .318 career hitter in the minors (albeit with mediocre power and speed), so his bat could eventually help him carve out a role as an on-base specialist capable of playing multiple positions.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Stefanic was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Stefanic is batting .347/.446/.449 with two homers and five stolen bases with Salt Lake this season. The utility player is capable of filling in all over the field but doesn't figure to play much for the Halos.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE