OC Register: Angels place Tony Watson on IL, activate James Hoyt

[AngelsWin.com]

The Angels will be without one of their two left-handed relievers for at least the next week.

Tony Watson was placed on the injured list Sunday with a strained left calf. The veteran southpaw said he had been trying to remedy the injury with treatment in Seattle to no avail. He hasn’t pitched since throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings Wednesday in Arlington, Texas, and the IL stint was backdated to Thursday.

“I thought it was better to get it done now, get it over with, and move past it,” Watson said. “That way physically and mentally you’re not nagging with it all year, and move on.”

It’s only the second injured list stint in Watson’s 11-year career. In September 2019 he fractured his left wrist attempting to lay down a bunt, ending his season a couple weeks early. Watson said he resisted going on the injured list then, too.

“I take a lot of pride on posting up and being out there for the guys,” he said. “This is definitely new territory for me.”

Right-handed reliever James Hoyt was activated from the taxi squad prior to the Angels’ game Sunday in Seattle.

Hoyt, 34, has made 98 appearances in his career (2016-20) with Houston, Cleveland and Miami. The Angels acquired him from the Marlins for cash on March 29. The 6-foot-6 right-hander went 2-0 with a 1.23 earned-run average in 24 games last season.

CATCHING SHOHEI

Kurt Suzuki has caught both of Shohei Ohtani’s starts since Ohtani returned from a finger blister. Suzuki will be behind the plate again Monday when the Angels host the Rays, Maddon said.

The ability to block a pitch in the dirt ― particularly Ohtani’s sharp-breaking splitter ― is instrumental in the pairing. Suzuki has generally rated as a poor pitch-framer in his career but is lauded for his ability as a blocker.

“Right now catching Ohtani is no day at the beach,” Maddon said. “It’s not easy to frame Shohei Ohtani’s pitches. Sometimes it can be self defense early in the game.”

Ohtani issued two walks, threw one wild pitch, and hit a batter in the first inning of his most recent start last Monday in Texas. On April 20 against the Rangers, Ohtani walked the bases loaded in the first inning.

If history repeats itself Monday, Suzuki can only do so much to frame Ohtani’s pitches.

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“Obviously you’re going to do everything you can to help him be successful,” Suzuki said. “I don’t know if you sacrifice anything, but I think that you’re out there battling, you’re competing, and you’re doing the best you can. That’s the only thing you can do without saying sacrificing blocking to get receiving, or throwing to get blocking, or whatever it is. All you’re doing out there is competing. That’s where I think technique goes out the window.”

MINOR LEAGUE ASSIGNMENTS

Outfielder Jo Adell wrote on his Twitter account that he was going to Salt Lake City, home of the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, to begin the minor league season.

The Angels’ top prospect was assigned to the alternate training site out of spring training. Adell is expected to be joined by outfielder Brandon Marsh, among others, when the Bees’ season begins Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas announced their 28-man roster. It includes pitcher Reid Detmers, the Angels’ first-round draft pick last year, as well as pitchers Oliver Ortega, Packy Naughton and Denny Brady, and outfielders Torii Hunter Jr. and Orlando Martinez. Their seasons begin Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Angels RHP Shohei Ohtani (1-0, 3.29 ERA) vs. Tampa Bay Rays RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-1, 1.67 ERA), 6:38 p.m. TV/Radio: Bally Sports West/830-AM

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