Angels reduce role for slumping Yoán Moncada – Orange County Register
ANAHEIM — The Angels have pushed Yoán Moncada apart.
For a lot of the season, the Angels have been persevering with to begin the switch-hitting third baseman in opposition to right-handed pitchers as a result of they wished his left-handed bat and figured he would finally get sizzling.
On Thursday, although, Moncada was on the bench for a second straight sport in opposition to a righty.
“That’s the route that we’re going to go,” Manager Kurt Suzuki stated. “I talked to him and he knows what he has to do. He’s been working every day. He’s been in the cage. He’s been taking ground balls. We’re going to need everybody. Right now, this is where we’re at. I’m not saying it’s going to be like this the rest of the year. It might change. It might not.”
The Angels signed Moncada, 30, to a $4 million deal shortly earlier than the beginning of spring coaching. Last season, Moncada was injured for half of the yr, however when he performed he produced a .783 OPS.
This yr, he is acquired a .610 OPS, and he is basically unable to face left-handed pitchers. Moncada revealed on Thursday that the best knee damage he suffered in 2025 nonetheless bothers him when he tries to hit right-handed.
Moncada is 1 for 21 with 12 strikeouts batting right-handed.
He stated by means of an interpreter that the knee is “100%” a difficulty.
“I can’t push,” he stated.
Moncada tried to hit left-handed in opposition to a left-handed pitcher as soon as final season, and he grounded out weakly.
“It’s a bit difficult for me since it was my first time,” Moncada stated. “I’d really have to start practicing it little by little to see how I feel.”
His left-handed swing can be not the place it was earlier than. He has a .690 OPS in opposition to right-handed pitchers.
“I feel great left-handed,” Moncada stated. “Things are not going my way, but I feel great.”
In the meantime, the Angels appear to be set on giving extra enjoying time to Vaughn Grissom at third. Grissom has additionally come again to earth after a sizzling begin, hitting .236 with a .691 OPS.
WHO’S THE CLOSER?
A day after Kirby Yates suffered a blown save In his first alternative with the Angels, Suzuki stated the Angels nonetheless have just a few pitchers they may use in that role. I’ve talked about Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman and Yates.
“Those guys all pitch in higher-leverage spots toward the end of the game,” Suzuki stated. “Some guys aren’t going to be up every day.”
Yates, 39, signed a $5 million deal over the winter with the expectation that he’d have an opportunity to shut. After lacking a couple of month with a knee damage, he pitched in 4 video games earlier than getting the save alternative. He had retired all six hitters, with 4 strikeouts, in his two video games earlier than giving up a game-tying homer within the ninth on Wednesday.
NOTES
Left-hander Drew Pomeranz (elbow irritation) threw a bullpen session on Thursday. “That’s a good sign,” Suzuki stated. “That means he’s feeling good. We’ll see what the next step is, but talking to him, he’s feeling good, so hopefully we can get him back sooner than later.” …
Suzuki stated there is not any change with Ben Joyce (shoulder surgical procedure), who’s rehabbing in Arizona however not throwing. The hard-throwing right-handed reliever was on the verge of returning to the Angels when he was slowed down as a result of he was having hassle bouncing again after his minor league outings.
UP NEXT
Rangers (RHP Jacob deGrom, 3-3, 3.02 ERA) at Angels (RHP Grayson Rodriguez, 0-1, 17.18 ERA), Friday, 6:38 pm, ABTV, 830 AM
