OC Register: Brandon Drury’s return to Angels could freeze out sizzling Luis Rengifo

[AngelsWin.com]

ATLANTA — The Angels are about to have the kind of good “problem” that they have hoped to face all season.

Infielder Brandon Drury, who is on rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake, could rejoin the Angels as soon as Thursday. That would then squeeze Luis Rengifo out of everyday playing time.

Rengifo has hit .289 with a .992 OPS since June 21. The hot streak has lifted his season OPS to .713, which is slightly worse than the .723 mark he posted during his breakout season in 2022.

“He’s earned the right to be in there,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said Wednesday. “We’ll find ways to get him in there. Guys are gonna need rest. We’re in the middle of a (16-game) stretch with no days off, but we’re gonna put our best guys out there.”

It’s not “etched in stone,” that Drury will return Thursday, Nevin said. Drury, who has been out for more than a month because of shoulder inflammation, had one hit in four at-bats in his first rehab game Tuesday night. He played eight innings at second base. He is scheduled to be the DH on Wednesday night.

“We’re gonna talk tonight,” Nevin said. “There’s some things that he’s got to do during that game that will make us all feel better about him coming back and playing.”

Whenever Drury (who has an .822 OPS this season) comes back, he figures to be the primary second baseman, with C.J. Cron (.772) at first, Zach Neto (.735) at shortstop and Mike Moustakas (.765) at third. Rengifo can also play the outfield, but the Angels now have Randal Grichuk (.869) and Hunter Renfroe (.764) for the corner outfield spots.

One easy solution is to put Rengifo at third instead of Moustakas when the Angels face a lefty. Rengifo, a switch hitter, has a .905 OPS over his last 260 plate appearances against lefties, dating to the start of last season.

The Angels aren’t scheduled to face any left-handed starters in their next two series, against the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants, though. Otherwise, his playing time would be pinch-hitting or replacing someone who needs a day off.

“He did too much for us last year for me to say, ‘I’m not gonna play him,’” Nevin said. “He’s gonna sit, but I think he’s shown that when he’s in there more often, you get the better version of what Luis does. He’s gonna have to learn how to have some days off and go in and play, but I think he’s figured some things out in his swing and his comfort level so that won’t be a problem either.”

GETTING CLOSER

Catcher Logan O’Hoppe is expected to start a rehab assignment next week, Nevin said. O’Hoppe has been taking batting practice in the cage for a few days. On Thursday, he’s scheduled to hit on the field for the first time in his rehab from April shoulder surgery. O’Hoppe said he’ll also start catching bullpen sessions in the coming days.

“There’s definitely a lot of light at the end of the tunnel now,” O’Hoppe said with a smile.

Nevin said O’Hoppe’s rehab assignment could take the full 20 days allowed, though.

“This is almost like another spring training for him because he’s missed so much time,” Nevin said. “We’ve got to build him up. Catching is a little different than going out and playing second like what Drury’s doing. Your legs are involved. We want him back, certainly, but we got to be cautious with it.”

The timetable given when O’Hoppe had surgery was four to six months, and late August would be four months.

NOTES

Right-hander Dominic Leone, who was acquired in a trade Tuesday, reported to the active roster on Wednesday. He replaced right-hander Victor Mederos, who was optioned to Double-A. …

Right-hander Ben Joyce (ulnar neuritis) felt “a little bit of general soreness” after his last session throwing off a mound, so the Angels have slowed him down. He is throwing, but not off a mound. “We feel comfortable that he’ll be pitching again this year, but right now it’s taking it’s time,” Nevin said. …

Outfielder Taylor Ward (facial fractures) has returned to Southern California. He is expected to undergo surgery this week, Nevin said. “He had some doctor appointments that were very encouraging,” Nevin said. “The eye is great. He has full function, moving it around. He can see fine. No damage to the eye, which we were all worried about and I know he was too.” …

The Angels have scheduled Shohei Ohtani, Reid Detmers, Tyler Anderson and Chase Silseth for the four games this weekend against the Mariners.

UP NEXT

Angels (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 9-5, 3.43) vs. Mariners (RHP Bryan Woo, 1-3, 3.46), 6:38 p.m. Thursday, Angel Stadium, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.

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[ELEVEN]

Oh no!

[Angel Oracle]

Platoon Moose and Rengifo at 3B?

Moose and Cron platoon at 1B?

Rengifo utility guy at 2B/SS as needed?

Rengifo crushes LHPs.

[Second Base]

If you figure on playing on average of six games per week....One game per week at 2B, one at SS, one at 3B, one in LF, one in RF and one on the bench. 

That's still playing 5/6 of the time. 

[drpiranha]

15 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

Platoon Moose and Rengifo at 3B?

Moose and Cron platoon at 1B?

Rengifo utility guy at 2B/SS as needed?

Rengifo crushes LHPs.

I like this idea. Rengifo is controlled by the Angels. You need to see what he is capable of. Cron and Moustakas are free agents and probably not coming back, unless Rengifo can't cut it.

[Revad]

35 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

Moose and Cron platoon at 1B?

This would be my choice, despite concerns about Rengifo at 3rd.  Moose and Cron are basically average offensively and we need more than that.  

[gurn67]

Ride Rengifo when he is on one of his hot streaks. He'll cool down eventually, but he should be in there as much as possible right now. He can play so many positions, and the Angels either have guys that are banged up, or older, that need at least one day off each week. It's also the hottest weather of the year right now.

[Revad]

This is actually the scenario we were supposed to be playing the season in, one or two extra players itching to start.

Edited August 3, 2023 by Revad