MARCH 29, 2022•THEATHLETIC.COM
Angels roster projection 2.0: Answering the Big Questions editionWill the Angels carry four or five outfielders? How many relievers? Let's examine how this roster is shaking out.
Angels aim for stars with Trout, Ohtani, Rendon all healthy
The Los Angeles Angels’ two AL Most Valuable Players are both fully healthyMARCH 29, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Maddon: Rebuilt 'pen key to ending playoff droughtSCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- After the Angels missed the postseason for the seventh straight year in 2021, manager Joe Maddon made it clear that the...
MARCH 29, 2022•MLB.COM
Verlander won't start opener, Astros plan for early off-days
Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander won't pitch on opening day as the team plans around the early-season scheduleMARCH 29, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Fletcher - Locked in as Opening Day shortstopManager Joe Maddon confirmed Tuesday that Fletcher will open the season as the Angels' everyday shortstop, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
ImpactFletcher is starting at second base in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies and could continue to see reps at the keystone at various points during the upcoming season, but the Angels appear committed to deploying the 27-year-old primarily at the other middle-infield spot. Since Fletcher appeared in 20 games at shortstop in 2021, he should already have eligibility at the spot in most fantasy leagues in advance of the upcoming season, but if he doesn't, it likely won't be long before managers are able to keep him active at either middle-infield position. Though the dual-position eligibility improves Fletcher's fantasy outlook, Maddon's decision to appoint Shohei Ohtani as the Angels' full-time leadoff man is a negative development. Fletcher has mainly batted out of the either the No. 8 or No. 9 spot in the order this spring against both left- and right-handed pitching.
MARCH 29, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Zachary Weiss - Won't make Opening Day clubThe Angels reassigned Weiss to minor-league camp Tuesday.
ImpactConsidering Weiss hasn't pitched in the majors since 2018, his exclusion from the Angels' Opening Day roster comes as little surprise. After inking a minor-league deal with the Halos earlier in the offseason, Weiss is expected to serve as organizational bullpen depth at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2022.
MARCH 29, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Griffin Canning - Ready for long-toss throwingCanning (back) has been cleared to resume throwing off flat ground from 90 feet this week, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
ImpactCanning is seemingly making positive strides in his recovery from a stress fracture in his lower back, but because the Angels placed him on the 60-day injured list earlier this month, he's not going to be ready to make his season debut until at least the second half of May. He still has several checkpoints to hit in his recovery from the injury before he's even ready for a minor-league rehab assignment, but the fact that he's not being shut down from throwing entirely is a good sign at this stage.
MARCH 29, 2022•ROTOWIRE
