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THE GAME: The Angels blanked the Chicago White Sox, 2-0, in the final home game of the Arizona portion of spring training on Friday afternoon in Tempe, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander José Soriano pitched six innings, against a split squad that did not include any of the White Sox’s projected starters. Soriano struck out eight and walked none. He threw 71 pitches, including 54 strikes. He did not have a three-ball count. “That was outstanding,” Manager Ron Washington said. “That had to be the best outing in all of spring training. To throw 71 pitches in six innings and no walks, you just don’t see that that often.” The Angels have not said if they plan to have Soriano remain as a starter or go back to the bullpen, which became an option after right-hander Robert Stephenson’s injury. The Angels are currently set with Patrick Sandoval, Griffin Canning, Reid Detmers, Tyler Anderson and Chase Silseth as the five major league starters, so if Soriano remains in the rotation, it would likely be in the minors until there’s a need or he forces his way to big leagues. Washington wouldn’t tip his hand on the decision after Friday’s game, but he smiled and said: “When you do that, that’s what you want to see a starter do, and he did it today.” … Right-handers José Cisnero, Adam Cimber and Carlos Estévez pitched the final three innings, facing just one hitter over the minimum.

HITTING REPORT: Anthony Rendon was hitless in two at-bats. Rendon is 5 for 24 (.208) with eight walks this spring, giving him a .424 on-base percentage. Manager Ron Washington is experimenting with Rendon as the leadoff hitter. … Mike Trout was 0 for 1 with a walk. Trout is 9 for 42 (.214) with 18 strikeouts. … Ehire Adrianza successfully executed a suicide squeeze in the fourth inning, knocking in the first run of the game. The Angels used the play twice this week.

DEFENSE REPORT: Third baseman Arol Vera made a nice backhand play behind the bag and then a throw across the diamond to get an out. … Right fielder Aaron Hicks made a nice catch on a ball going toward the fence.

UP NEXT: Angels (LHP Matt Moore) at Athletics (RHP Ross Stripling) at Hohokam Stadium, Saturday, 12:05 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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TEMPE, Ariz. — The bombshell story about Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter came as a surprise to those in the Angels clubhouse.

The Angels, who had an off day Thursday, reconvened as a group Friday morning for the first time since the news broke Wednesday afternoon about Ohtani and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara being connected to a federal investigation involving sports gambling.

Mizuhara initially told ESPN that Ohtani paid $4.5 million to cover his gambling losses, and then the story changed and Ohtani’s representatives claimed Mizuhara stole the money.

“Shocked as anyone,” Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak said. “Definitely had no inclination and information that would lead to that. Definitely shocked.”

Other players who had been with the Angels during all or parts of Ohtani’s six years with the team either said they were surprised or declined to comment entirely.

“Weird,” said left-hander Patrick Sandoval, who had spent as much time with Ohtani as anyone over parts of the previous five seasons. “That’s all I can really say about it. Really weird.”

While players did not want to go on the record, speaking privately there was a consensus that Ohtani did not seem to show interest in other sports. That would seem to support Mizuhara’s assertion that he was betting for himself, rather than placing bets for Ohtani. Mizuhara reportedly also said that none of the bets were on baseball.

ROSTER NEWS

The Angels sent down infielder Livan Soto and right-hander Ben Joyce, two players who had been in the running for spots on the Opening Day roster.

The move with Soto leaves infielders Miguel Sanó and Ehire Adrianza in the running for the final position player roster spot.

It is possible that the Angels could keep both players if first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who has been out with back tightness, is not ready. Schanuel was set to do some baseball activity Friday, and manager Ron Washington said he might be able to play Saturday if that went well.

Infielder Luis Rengifo, who had been out with a hamstring issue, was removed from the medical report. He is set to play Saturday.

The Angels also have roster decisions to make regarding outfielder Jake Marisnick and left-hander Drew Pomeranz. The collective bargaining agreement provided an out for both players to become free agents Sunday. The players had to make the requests Friday.

Neither Marisnick nor Pomeranz would say what he had decided, but both said they hoped to be in the big leagues with the Angels.

“I felt like it’s been good,” Marisnick said of his spring. “I came in and did what I needed to do. Felt good running. That’s a big part of my game. It’s important to show that.”

Marisnick, 32, hit .353 with a 1.018 OPS through 35 plate appearances this spring. He is presumably behind five other outfielders, though: Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Aaron Hicks, Jo Adell and Moniak.

Pomeranz, 35, has allowed five earned runs in eight innings, but four of them were in one game. He has not pitched in the big leagues since 2021 because of a series of injuries.

“If I can just be healthy, that’s pretty good,” Pomeranz said. “I felt like I’ve been pretty good, and I’ve gotten better. This is the most I’ve pitched consecutively in years. I think I’m just going to keep improving from here.”

Pomeranz is now one of four pitchers in the running for the final two spots in the bullpen, now that Joyce has been sent out. The others are right-handers Jose Soriano, Guillo Zuñiga and Hunter Strickland. Soriano, who started the exhibition game Friday, could remain as a starter in the minors or pitch in the major-league bullpen.

NOTES

Sandoval threw six innings in an intrasquad game on Friday, his final tuneup before starting Opening Day on Thursday in Baltimore. “I think the in-game adjustments are going really well,” Sandoval said. “Fixing my fastball up, playing stuff off it is good. Pretty much the whole camp I’ve just been trying to re-establish my fastball and throw it with a little bit more confidence. The first, fourth and this (outing) I think have been really positive for me.” …

Sandoval, who is the Angels player rep to the union, had no comment on the reported fight within the union to remove Bruce Meyer from his job as deputy director of the Major League Baseball Players Assn. …

The Angels also sent down outfielder Willie Calhoun, infielder Cole Fontenelle and catcher Caleb Hamilton.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — When Barry Enright came to Angel Stadium last year as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ assistant pitching coach, he was surprised to see the scoreboard showed not only pitch velocity, but vertical and horizontal movement.

Enright put that on the list of changes he planned after he was hired as the Angels’ pitching coach.

“You’re not going to see those metrics on the board any more,” Enright said, referring to the movement numbers. “If you’re looking up there and all of the sudden you say, ‘Oh, my curveball doesn’t have the same depth today,’ you’re chasing a metric instead of chasing outs.”

The Angels have been trying to find the answers to their pitching woes for much of the last decade, and they’ve now hired Enright as their fifth pitching coach in eight seasons.

So far the pitchers have fully endorsed both Enright and new bullpen coach Steve Karsay.

And much of what they like is the way the organizational philosophy has changed under Enright.

“They’ve been awesome so far,” right-hander Griffin Canning said. “Just a different approach to things. They don’t really let us get super off track with trying to chase those numbers on our pitches.”

Veteran left-hander Tyler Anderson said the emphasis is no longer slanted so heavily toward the Trackman.

“He seems to be less about chasing stuff,” Anderson said, “which I felt was the M.O. last year, as opposed to pitching, which is what I like.”

Make no mistake, Enright likes the Trackman and all of the associated data that has become ubiquitous around major league teams. He said he’s excited for the pitching lab the Angels are planning to build at their spring training complex.

“That’s a great asset, a great tool,” Enright said. “But when you’re out there, you’re trying to win a baseball game, trying to get outs. … I’ve seen too many times where two people have the same exact slider on the Trackman and one gets whacked around the yard and one is really good. … Eventually, the hitter is going to tell you if it’s a good pitch or not.”

Enright, 37, learned to have one foot in each camp – the old and new schools – during a nomadic pitching career.

The Diamondbacks selected him out of Pepperdine in the second round of the 2007 draft. He reached the majors with Arizona in 2010, and pitched briefly for the Angels in 2012 and 2013.

After that, Enright went between four organizations and Mexico, never returning to the majors. He was in Mexico when he got an urgent text from his wife: “Get your (butt) home.” She and their young children needed him, so Enright called the Diamondbacks to essentially beg for a job that would bring him back to the U.S. Enright said the Diamondbacks obliged, but it was really just because they wanted to get him in the organization to put him on a coaching track.

After coaching for a few years in the Arizona system, he saw something that needed to change.

“We were chasing movement,” he said. “I felt like in my soul that it was wrong. We had some combative arguments at times, going back and forth.”

In 2022, the Diamondbacks hired Brent Strom to be the major league pitching coach. Strom is a veteran of nearly three decades as a pitching coach, including the previous eight years with the tech-savvy Houston Astros. If anyone could blend the new and old schools, it was Strom.

Enright, who joined Strom’s staff as assistant pitching coach, found it to be a perfect mix.

“I still view pitching as an art,” Enright said. “I don’t see it as a science. The science aspect helped us go in different directions with guys, but if you just chase the science, we’re dealing with human beings. We don’t have robots yet. You have to understand the heartbeat of that kid, what they can handle and can’t handle that day. Where their two feet are. That’s what I take pride in.”

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Enright was good at balancing the art and science.

“He’s right down the middle,” Lovullo said. “He knows what it’s like to toe the rubber and compete and a high level. There’s a time where you just go out and compete and not worry about pitch shaping and spin rate. But he can. He’s been educated in that area because all young pitchers are expected to get that information. He knows how to deliver that. I think he’s the perfect blend of understanding the new wave of analytics in combination with being able to go out and compete. He’s a great one.”

Enright has been spending the spring drilling Angels pitchers on strategies that are focused on the big picture. He wants his starters to know how to navigate a lineup multiple times.

That begins with throwing strikes and getting quick outs.

Beyond that, Enright wants his pitchers to think about using their arsenals in a way that will make them effective deep into the game.

“If you get two outs in the first inning on six pitches and the No. 3 hitter is up, and you strike him out by throwing seven sliders, when you walk off you should not be happy,” Enright said. “You showed him your best pitch seven times. Now what are you going to do when it’s the seventh inning, two out and the bases loaded and it’s the same guy?

“If you’re in lower-leverage situations and you have four or five pitches, don’t give him your No. 1 pitch more than once in an at-bat. Let’s try to get through that with our second or third option. If we give up a solo homer, that shouldn’t beat us.

“It sounds simple, but simple doesn’t mean easy.”

Enright also said he’s been given the latitude to direct the pitching staff as he sees fit, even if it counters the ideas from the front office.

“In my interview I was told ‘We’re going to come down with stuff. Some of our mistakes were that we force fed (the coaches and pitchers) in the last few years. You have the ability to say no,’” Enright said. “That was a big selling point for me. They were able to kind of admit some of the faults from the past. They basically said before I even had the job, ‘If we give you this job, we need you to say no at times.’”

Finding a different strategy will be a key for the Angels, who are bringing back the same starters – minus Shohei Ohtani – from a unit that produced a 4.47 ERA.

The Angels are hoping that a different type of coaching can lead to better results.

Lovullo watched it happen with the Diamondbacks, all the way into the 2023 World Series.

“He was on an unbelievable trajectory with us,” Lovullo said. “He’ll offer the Angels and (manager) Ron Washington everything he possibly can, with a great effort, great intensity and great willingness to learn. … He’s going to help those pitchers get better every single day in Anaheim. I can say that wholeheartedly.”

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By STEFANIE DAZIO, RONALD BLUM and BETH HARRIS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and close friend has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers following allegations of illegal gambling and theft from the Japanese baseball star.

Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was let go from the team Wednesday following reports from The Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker. The team is in South Korea this week as Ohtani makes his Dodgers debut.

“In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities,” law firm Berk Brettler LLP said in a statement Wednesday.

Mizuhara has worked with Ohtani for years and been a constant presence with him in major league clubhouses. When Ohtani left the Los Angeles Angels to sign a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December, the club also hired Mizuhara.

The team did not have an immediate comment Wednesday. Mizuhara’s firing was confirmed by Major League Baseball.

Ohtani’s stardom has spread worldwide, even as the two-way player has remained largely media-shy. The news of his recent marriage to Mamiko Tanaka shocked fans from Japan to the U.S.

On Tuesday, Mizuhara told ESPN that his bets were on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL and college football. MLB rules prohibit players and team employees from wagering — even legally — on baseball and also ban betting on other sports with illegal or offshore bookmakers.

“I never bet on baseball,” Mizuhara told ESPN. “That’s 100%. I knew that rule … We have a meeting about that in spring training.”

The Associated Press could not immediately reach Mizuhara for comment Wednesday.

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THE GAME: The Angels lost, 5-2, to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday afternoon in Tempe, Ariz. The Angels did not have several of their regulars in the lineup, because they were set to play with the other part of the split-squad, on Wednesday night against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Tyler Anderson gave up one run in 4⅔ innings. Anderson was one out from getting through five scoreless innings when he gave up a run-scoring double to Jung Hoo Lee. Anderson struck out six and walked one. Anderson has 20 strikeouts and three walks in 16⅔ innings this spring. … Left-hander Drew Pomeranz pitched 1⅓ scoreless innings. Pomeranz, who is competing for a bullpen spot, has allowed five runs in eight innings this spring. Four of the runs came in one game. … The Giants scored the tie-breaking run against left-hander Matt Moore in the seventh inning. It was the first earned run that Moore has allowed this spring. … Right-hander Luis Garcia gave up three runs in the eighth inning.

HITTING REPORT: The Angels loaded the bases with no outs in the first, on two walks and a hit. Taylor Ward then hit into a double play and Brandon Drury grounded out, so the Angels settled for one run. … Livan Soto tripled off the right field fence. The Angels then attempted a squeeze, but Soto was caught in a rundown. … Mike Trout had a single and a walk. Trout is 9 for 41 (.220) this spring. … Matt Thaiss doubled to left to lead off the bottom of the ninth then scored when Andrew Blake singled to left.

DEFENSE REPORT: Catcher Chad Wallach threw out a runner trying to steal. Wallach has thrown out five of nine runners trying to steal this spring… Anderson snagged a sharp comebacker, reaching down between his feet to grab the ball… Drury, the first baseman, made a spectacular diving catch on a line drive, temporarily saving a run. The next hitter doubled to drive in the run… Third baseman Arol Vera made a diving stop.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP José Soriano) vs. White Sox (RHP Jonathan Cannon) at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Friday, 1:10 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — With just over a week to go before Opening Day, Ron Washington still isn’t sure what he wants to do about the leadoff spot.

The uncertainty pushed the Angels manager to try Anthony Rendon batting first for Wednesday’s exhibition game.

“Just trying to find some things with the lineup,” Washington said. “I stayed status quo with the lineup throughout the spring and, to be honest with you, I wasn’t impressed with the top of it, the way it was working, so I wanted to try something else.”

Washington said he wanted to try Rendon because he knew he would have a quality at-bat, including seeing more pitches.

Rendon has a career .367 on-base percentage. Even in his mostly disappointing Angels career, Rendon has produced a .359 on-base percentage.

Washington had said earlier in the spring he liked Rendon hitting cleanup – despite his lack of power – because he knew how to drive in runs. Now, it seems he’s more interested in his ability to get on base and see pitches.

Rendon has hit leadoff 36 times in his career, none since 2015.

“Our leadoff hitters are not prototypical leadoff hitters,” Washington said. “I need someone up there that I think will make that pitcher earn his first four or five pitches, instead of the first one being put in play.”

Washington just last week expressed frustration that Luis Rengifo, another of his leadoff hitter choices, was making too many first-pitch outs.

The other candidates in the leadoff spot are outfielders Aaron Hicks and Mickey Moniak.

Hicks has a .524 on-base percentage this spring, with 10 walks in 42 plate appearances. He’s also hitting .375 with two homers, three doubles and a triple. Throughout Hicks’ career, his on-base percentage has been about 100 points higher than his batting average.

“If Rendon is not in there, it would most likely be Hicks,” Washington said. “But Hicks can swing the bat. Hicks has been in situations where he can drive in runs.”

There is still plenty of flexibility with the Angels lineup, even though Washington insists he’d prefer to have a stable group.

“I want to try to make sure that I can maximize my lineup,” Washington said. “When you actually look at it, we’re not going to be a team that is going to be able to just bang with people. We need people on base when our bangers do come up, so we can maximize. I tried to run the lineup out there the whole spring trying to see how it works. Right now I’m trying some stuff out.”

Shortstop Zach Neto hit leadoff at times in his rookie season, and he’s hitting .333 with a .370 on-base percentage this spring, but Washington said he still believes No. 9 is the best place for Neto.

“He’s hitting ninth because of his experience, or lack of,” Washington said. “I want him to settle in. I want him to have fun. I want him to believe what he’s doing and if that time comes that I have to push him somewhere else, I’ll do that when that time comes. And when that time comes, he would have shown me that it’s time.

“Right now his time is in the ninth hole. I want him to be successful. Not that he can’t handle the pressure of doing something else. But being in his first full year, I want him to relax and be successful. And I think he can down there because that’s what he wants to do. You never know. He might come to me and tell me ‘Hey, I can go lead off.’ And because he told me that I might do it. But right now, he’s right where he wants to be and he’s right where he needs to be.”

First baseman Nolan Schanuel also hit leadoff last season, posting a .402 on-base percentage. Washington said he prefers Schanuel to hit second because his bat-to-ball skills make him a good candidate for situational hitting.

RENGIFO UPDATE

Rengifo, who came out of Tuesday’s game with left hamstring tightness, said Wednesday that he was feeling “way better.” He also said this didn’t feel as bad as when he hurt his hamstring earlier in camp, costing him about two weeks.

“Hopefully it’ll only be a few days,” Washington said.

If Rengifo would be unable to start the season, the Angels would have room to keep two players out of the three vying for the final position player spot: infielders Livan Soto, Miguel Sanó and Ehire Adrianza.

STEFANIC SETBACK

Infielder Michael Stefanic, who hurt his quad early in camp, had a setback this week after trying to run the bases.

“It didn’t go very well,” Stefanic said Wednesday. “I felt it still.”

Stefanic said an MRI showed the strain to be “worse than we thought.” He’s now been shut down from baseball activity.

NOTES

Schanuel (back) went through some drills, but Washington said he hadn’t yet heard how he did. …

The Angels have left-hander Patrick Sandoval scheduled to make his final spring appearance in a minor-league game Friday, instead of the big-league game. A minor-league game allows more leeway to control situations, ensuring that Sandoval can throw the number of pitches and innings he needs. Right-hander José Soriano, who had been scheduled to start a-minor league game on the off-day Thursday, is now scheduled to pitch Friday in the big-league exhibition. Sandoval is scheduled to start on Opening Day.

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THE GAME: Zach Neto and Aaron Hicks homered in the Angels’ 10-6 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday afternoon in Tempe, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Reid Detmers gave up one run in 4⅔ innings, on 81 pitches. In the first inning, Detmers got a strikeout when Will Benson was called for a timer violation with two strikes. Detmers also walked two in the inning. Detmers did not issue another walk, although he hit a batter. He struck out seven. “He was outstanding,” Manager Ron Washington said. “He didn’t have a whole lot of command of his fastball the way he would have liked to, but he was able to use his offspeed pitches, and then he was able to spot some fastballs up when he had to. He was working fast, hitting the strike zone and making them swing the bat.” Detmers has allowed five earned runs in 13⅓ innings this spring, with 20 strikeouts. … Left-hander José Suarez gave up five runs in the sixth inning. He remained in the game and pitched scoreless innings in the seventh, eighth and ninth. Suarez, who is out of options, is expected to make the Opening Day roster as a long reliever.

HITTING REPORT: Hicks doubled, homered and drew two walks. He also stole two bases. Hicks is 12 for 32 (.375) with 10 walks this spring. He has a .524 on-base percentage and an OPS of 1.243. “He seems like he’s getting some new life,” Washington said. “I’m happy that he’s getting that new life here because he’s been on some great teams and some teams that have been in the playoffs with regularity. He looks like he’s in great shape. And he’s playing the game. He’s someone we can use to make an impression on our young kids.” … Zach Neto was 3 for 3 with a two-run homer, his third of the spring. Neto is 14 for 42 (.333) this spring. … Brandon Drury led off the second with a double, one of his two hits, and he scored on a Jo Adell single. … Mike Trout was hitless in four at-bats, falling to 9 for 39 (.205) this spring. … Drury also had a single. …The Angels stole five bases, including two for Adell.

DEFENSE REPORT: Hicks made a sliding catch in right field. … Adell slipped while charging a sinking line drive, but he was able to keep the ball in front of him and hold the hitter to a single.

INJURY REPORT: Luis Rengifo came out of the game with left hamstring tightness after beating out a potential double play in the first inning. Rengifo missed a couple of weeks earlier in the spring with a hamstring issue. Immediately after the game, Washington said there was no update to the seriousness of the injury. If Rengifo has to start the season on the injured list, the Angels would likely keep Miguel Sanó and one of the middle infield backups: Livan Soto or Ehire Adrianza.

UP NEXT: Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson) vs. Giants (RHP Jordan Hicks) at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Wednesday, 1:10 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM; Angels (RHP Andrew Wantz) at Royals (RHP Brady Singer) at Surprise Stadium, Wednesday, 6:05 p.m., no TV or radio.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — In the end, the Angels came to a decision that seemed obvious a month ago.

Patrick Sandoval will be their Opening Day starter.

Sandoval, a 27-year-old left-hander who has started 84 games for the Angels over parts of the past five seasons, officially got the nod to start the March 28 opener at Baltimore on Tuesday.

“Really cool,” Sandoval said. “It’s a huge honor, obviously. Something you dream of as a kid growing up, being an Opening Day starter. I get to do it for my hometown team. It’s pretty cool.”

A product of Mission Viejo High, Sandoval was acquired by the Angels in a July 2018 trade with the Houston Astros. He reached the big leagues in 2019.

Sandoval has had control issues at times, and seen his pitch-count prevent him from getting deep in games. Both were evident during his disappointing 2023, when he had a 4.11 ERA. Over his career, though, he has a 3.83 ERA, including a 3.47 ERA since becoming a full-time starter in May 2021.

“I think when we came into camp, we wanted this to happen this way,” manager Ron Washington said. “And he took it and made it happen. And he’s supposed to take it and make it happen. Because his peers, the other pitchers that are on the staff with him, thought that he should have been the guy. He stepped up and became the guy.”

Despite Sandoval’s track record coming into the season, there were indications that the Angels might have been leaning toward right-hander Griffin Canning. Canning is scheduled to pitch Saturday, which is exactly five days before the opener. He’s also pitched consistently well throughout the spring. Washington has spoken in glowing terms about Canning being a leader on the staff.

Sandoval, meanwhile, gave up 11 runs in his second and third starts of the spring.

“My second and third starts didn’t really go as planned, but I made some adjustments and I hope showed them enough to have the faith in me to be the Opening Day starter,” Sandoval said.

In his fourth start, on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sandoval gave up one run in 4 1/3 innings, throwing 77 pitches.

“He made it happen,” Washington said. “We didn’t give him anything. He made it happen.”

Washington told Sandoval on Monday morning that he had been picked for the start. Sandoval will pitch once more in Arizona, on Friday, and then he’ll have five days’ rest before the opener.

Although he’s never started on Opening Day, he has some experience in that type of environment. He started the two biggest games for Mexico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, facing the United States and Japan. He gave up one run in 7 1/3 innings in those two starts.

“It was huge,” Sandoval said of his WBC experience. “It was definitely a way different atmosphere than I’ve been used to pitching in. It was a cool experience. To thrive in that, I know I have it in me. It’s cool to be able to come back and hopefully get us to October and have that same feeling back.”

For now, the challenge will be an Orioles team that won 101 games last season and boasts a lineup with young stars like reigning Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman.

“The ballpark is awesome,” Sandoval said. “A great team. A good lineup. They swing the bat well. Don’t chase much. It’s going to be a good challenge.”

It remains to be seen how the Angels will align their rotation behind Sandoval. If they maintain the order they’re using in spring training, Sandoval would be followed by Canning, left-hander Reid Detmers, left-hander Tyler Anderson and right-hander Chase Silseth.

HUNTER’S FUTURE

Torii Hunter was in uniform as a guest instructor with the Angels the past few days, but don’t expect him to be back in baseball full time anytime soon.

Hunter, 48, last played in 2015, and he said he’s still devoting most of his time to his family and his businesses, which include five barbecue restaurants, two coffee shops and a commercial real estate company.

“I gotta keep baseball on the back-burner for now,” Hunter said. “Full time? Not ready to do that. It could happen some day. We’ll see.”

Hunter was in the news in November, when there was a report that he’d already been selected to be Washington’s first-base coach with the Angels.

“I was at a golf course and some guy said ‘Congratulations,’ and I said ‘For what?’” Hunter recalled. “He said ‘You’re going to be the first-base coach.’ And I said ‘Where?’ It was a thing that someone must have started, some kind of rumor.”

Hunter said after that he did talk to the Angels about a coaching position, but they hadn’t before. He said he’d like to do it sometime.

Washington said Hunter would be a natural.

“A tremendous leader because there’s nothing in the game he hasn’t experienced,” Washington said. “If you know Torii, he knows the game. He knows what it takes to be a champion. He knows what it takes to be a star. He knows what it takes. And he does a good job of relaying that to the guys. I’m walking around listening to him talk to the guys, he does a good job of doing that.

“When he can put his personal businesses aside and he has someone that he can trust to really run them, then I think he will come back into the game and he would be a tremendous coach. He would be a tremendous manager once he worked his way through the coaching ranks.”

NOTES

First baseman Nolan Schanuel was out of the lineup for a second straight day because of back tightness. Schanuel said he was “a lot better” Tuesday, and hoped to be back in the lineup Wednesday. Washington said it was possible that Schanuel could play Wednesday, but he wasn’t certain. …

Right-hander Ben Joyce walked two more hitters in his inning Monday, giving him nine walks in 7 1/3 innings this spring. Washington, however, said he still sees progress since Joyce’s first outing against the San Francisco Giants, when he walked three. “First time out to now, he’s gotten better,” Washington said. “He’s hit the strike zone a little more. And I think as long as he’s here around these pitching guys we have, they seem to have harnessed it a little bit. He’s a young guy, so you never know when he’s going to let his emotions control what he’s supposed to do. But from the first time to right now, I think he’s harnessed his emotions pretty good. That’s what he’s got to keep doing. Because he does have a tremendous arm.” …

Robert Stephenson (shoulder) said he felt good a day after playing catch at a distance of 90 feet. He said he was still expecting to have multiple days before throwing again, just to be conservative. Stephenson is expected to begin the season on the injured list. …

Almost all of the Angels regulars are expected to return to Southern California to prepare for the Freeway Series before the Angels play their final Arizona game, on Saturday against the Oakland A’s. Canning is scheduled to start that game.

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THE GAME: The Angels lost, 4-3, to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday in Phoenix, dropping their sixth consecutive Cactus League game.

PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander Griffin Canning gave up two runs in 4⅓ innings. He worked around six hits, striking out two and walking one. One run scored when Christian Yelich hit a chopper over the head of first baseman Miguel Sanó, who was holding a runner at first. It went for a double. The other run came on a long homer by Yelich. … Right-hander Hunter Strickland allowed a two-run homer to Willie Adames, snapping a tie in the fifth. The homer came on an 0-and-2 pitch. Strickland, who is competing for a bullpen spot, has been among the Angels’ best pitchers this spring at throwing strikes, with 10 strikeouts and no walks in eight innings. … Right-hander Ben Joyce pitched a scoreless inning, hitting 102 mph with his fastball. He also walked two. Joyce has walked nine in 7⅓ innings. … Right-hander Carlos Estévez pitched a perfect inning, striking out two.

HITTING REPORT: Mickey Moniak lined a routine single into right field, but the ball skipped past outfielder Jackson Chourio and Moniak got to third. Moniak was at third with no outs, but the Angels couldn’t drive him in. Jo Adell struck out. Zach Neto hit a flyout, after fouling off a bunt. Matt Thaiss then hit a flyout. … Sanó drew two more walks. Although Sanó is 6 for 35 (.171) this spring, he’s drawn six walks and hit three home runs, so his OPS is .739. … Livan Soto pushed home a run with a suicide squeeze, tying the score in the fourth inning. Manager Ron Washington said he would begin using more of that kind of situational hitting for the final week of games in Arizona.

DEFENSE REPORT: Canning slipped and fell to his back when trying to field a bunt between third base and the mound. Canning smiled as he was getting up. … Moniak made a sliding catch on a line drive hit in front of him in center field. … Thaiss, the catcher, threw out a runner trying to steal. The Angels have thrown out 36.7% of would-be base stealers this spring, the third-best rate in the majors.

UP NEXT: Angels (LHP Reid Detmers) vs. Reds (RHP Hunter Greene) at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tuesday, 1:10 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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TEMPE, Ariz. — Earlier this spring, Taylor Ward was at the plate when a fastball came at him, up and in. He moved out of the way without incident. The next pitch was also up and in.

He admitted that he “couldn’t get back in the right mindset after that,” and he eventually struck out on a slider over the middle.

“That at-bat made me wonder,” Ward said. “What are we doing here? I learned from that moment. That’s what I have to get used to.”

Ward missed the last two months of last season recovering from facial fractures suffered when he was hit in the face by a pitch. He hadn’t seen any live pitching in the six months between that incident and the start of spring training.

Ward said at the beginning of camp that he expected to be fine, but he needed games to truly understand if there would be any residual impact of the injury.

A month later, Ward said that particular at-bat convinced him that he needs to be prepared for teams to try to take advantage of his situation by pitching him that way.

“Just accepting that it’s going to happen and not letting it affect me is the biggest thing I took away from that,” Ward said.

He has been wearing an extra protective piece on his helmet all spring.

“If I would have had that last year, it would have changed everything,” Ward said. “Having that gives me confidence that if it does happen again, it’s going to be OK.”

Although Ward said he’s expecting pitches up and in, and he seems to be at peace with it, manager Ron Washington isn’t going to be so tolerant.

“I don’t think we have enough pitchers in the game that can control up and in,” Washington said. “They don’t have any business going up and in there. … They better not be doing that, because that will send a signal that we’re going to do it to them. Let them see how it feels. If a pitch gets away and gets up and in, fine. If you try to throw the ball in, not up and in, that’s different. You come in the chest area, that’s good. But when you go up at the head, that’s up. He’s done nothing to no one to go up and in.”

The prospect of facing pitchers looking to make him uncomfortable is just another element added to Ward’s challenge of once again becoming the hitter he has shown he can be.

He started and finished 2022 on a tear, and he had gotten hot just a couple weeks before he was injured in 2023.

Ward said this spring he has his swing “doing what I want it to do,” and he’s especially encouraged by the way he’s using the whole field. On Saturday, he hit a fly ball to the warning track in right, and then hit a homer to left.

“Whenever I’m going to the opposite field and driving the ball that way, that’s a really good sign for me,” he said. “That’s something I didn’t do much last year until the last few weeks before I got hurt.”

BACHMAN UPDATE

Right-hander Sam Bachman, who had shoulder surgery last fall and will start the season on the injured list, said he’s “feeling good.”

Bachman said he’s thrown five bullpen sessions, getting up to about 30 pitches. He added his changeup in the last session, and expects to add his slider next time. Bachman said he’s expecting to throw live batting practice “soon.”

There is no timetable for him to pitch in the games. The Angels want him as a starter, so they are preserving his innings by pushing his season debut back.

“Just want to make sure these prerequisite steps are met because I want to be healthy all season,” Bachman said. “Don’t want to push anything.”

NOTES

Right-hander Robert Stephenson played catch at a distance of 90 feet on Monday. Stephenson has been bothered by shoulder soreness throughout the spring, preventing him from pitching in a game. He is expected to begin the season on the injured list. …

First baseman Nolan Schanuel was scratched from the lineup for Monday’s game because of back tightness. …

The Angels have not decided if José Soriano will continue to start or move back to the bullpen. He is scheduled to start in a minor league game on Thursday, which is an off day on the major league schedule. Washington said the Angels simply want to keep Soriano stretched out to retain all their options.

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THE GAME: The Angels managed just seven hits and hit into double plays to end three straight innings in a 2-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Patrick Sandoval gave up one run in 4-1/3 innings, his best outing of the spring. Sandoval struck out five and walked two, throwing 77 pitches. The only run he allowed came after he gave up an infield hit with two outs and a runner at third. Sandoval escaped a first-and-third jam by getting a double play grounder in the second inning. “It felt good,”  Sandoval said. “The offspeed is still getting there, but a lot of positive signs.”… Right-hander Adam Cimber pitched a scoreless inning. Cimber has not allowed a run in five innings this spring.

HITTING REPORT: Mike Trout was 1 for 3 with two strikeouts. Trout is 8 for 35 (.229) with 16 strikeouts and two walks this spring. … Anthony Rendon was also 1 for 3. He is 4 for 18 (.222) with four walks this spring. … Two of the Angels’ hits came in the sixth inning, singles by Logan O’Hoppe and Luis Rengifo. Nolan Schanuel then bounced into a double play. … In the seventh, Trout and Rendon each singled, but Taylor Ward then hit a flyout to right and Brandon Drury hit into a double play. … In the eighth, Zach Neto hit a line drive to first base, which became another inning-ending double play.

DEFENSE REPORT: Trout leapt at the center field fence but couldn’t come down with a drive by Alek Thomas, who ended up with a triple. Trout hit the wall hard, but remained in the game. … The Angels escaped a jam in the second inning with a non-traditional double play. Third baseman Luis Rengifo fielded a grounder and then threw to second, with shortstop Zach Neto covering because second baseman Brandon Drury was playing in the hole. Neto caught the throw, then leapt to get out of the way of the runner as he threw to first. … Left-hander Matt Moore made an errant pickoff throw to first, leading to an unearned run. He escaped the inning with a behind-the-back snag of a comebacker.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Griffin Canning) at Brewers (RHP DL Hall) at American Family Fields, Maryvale, Monday, 1:10 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — Hunter Strickland emerged from his brief “retirement” to put himself in a solid position to resume his big league career.

Strickland, a 35-year-old right-hander who didn’t pitch in the majors last season, has not allowed a run in 7-1/3 innings with the Angels this spring. Perhaps more significantly, he has not issued a walk, while striking out nine.

“He’s been pounding the strike zone,” manager Ron Washington said. “That’s exactly what we’ve been talking about, what we want everybody else to do.”

Strike-throwing has been such an emphasis in camp that the Angels have been posting a sheet listing the all the pitchers’ strike-throwing performance on the first pitch and on 1-and-1 counts. As of the last update, Strickland had thrown a first-pitch strike 88% of the time and he was at 100% on 1-1 pitches.

Washington stopped short of saying that the numbers gave Strickland a leg up on winning a spot in the Angels’ opening day bullpen.

“He’s been having a good spring,” Washington said. “We’ll see how it shakes out when we start to make a decision.”

The Angels appear to have six of the eight bullpen spots locked, with right-handed closer Carlos Estévez at the top. Right-handers Luis Garcia, Adam Cimber and José Cisnero, and left-handers Matt Moore and José Suarez are all safely on the roster.

Right-hander Robert Stephenson’s shoulder injury has likely opened up another spot. That could go to right-hander José Soriano, who has been working as a starter but could easily drop back to the bullpen if that’s what the Angels decide.

After that, though, Strickland is one of four candidates for the final one or two spots. He’s joined by right-handers Guillo Zuñiga and Ben Joyce and left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Strickland and Pomeranz are both in camp on minor league deals, while Zuñiga and Joyce are already on the 40-man roster.

Although there’s more to the decision than spring training numbers, statistically none of the four has performed better than Strickland.

“I feel great,” Strickland said on Sunday. I feel incredible. I think last year was a blessing, to be honest. I went home and it was a really good reset for me. I thought I was done playing. I made peace with it. But there was still a little fire burning in there. We put in the work and here we are.”

Strickland first reached the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants in 2014, pitching in October to help the Giants to a World Series title. He had a 2.91 ERA over parts of five seasons with the Giants before beginning a nomadic journey around the big leagues.

From 2019-22, Strickland pitched for seven teams in the majors, including a forgettable nine-game stint with the Angels in 2021. The Cincinnati Reds sent him to Triple-A to start the 2023 season, and he was released after 11 innings. No one else picked up Strickland, so he was at home with his family, pondering the end of his career.

After he decided he wanted to keep playing, the Angels gave him a shot.

Now, Strickland has seen enough not to count on anything regarding his position on the roster.

“I knew coming into it this was a tough bullpen to break,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent here that’s already got their foot in. I think healthy competition is a good thing. I’m just coming in here, day to day, taking it one at a time and see how it plays out.”

STEPHENSON UPDATE

Stephenson said Sunday that his shoulder isn’t feeling better yet, although he remains hopeful that it’s not a major injury.

“Unfortunately it’s still more of the same,” he said. “It’s frustrating. It’s just been kind of nagging for a lot longer than anybody wanted for the majority of the spring.”

Stephenson said an MRI showed just some inflammation and an impingement.

“Nothing serious anyone was overly concerned about,” he said.

A week ago, Stephenson said he was feeling better, and he was holding out hope of being ready for Opening Day.

“It would feel good for a couple days and then I’d jump back on the mound and we’d kind of go back a little bit,” he said. “Every time I felt I was making progress, we’d go backwards a little bit.”

The Angels signed Stephenson to a three-year, $33-million contract — the largest deal they gave to anyone this winter — but he now seems certain to start the year on the injured list.

“My main focus is once I get back out there, I want to be there for the rest of the year, rather than trying to rush through something and I end up getting hurt again,” he said.

NOTES

Right-hander Griffin Canning is scheduled to start on Monday and again on Saturday, which is exactly five days before the March 28 opener in Baltimore. Washington conceded that the calendar “looks like” Canning will be the Opening Day starter, but he said they still “haven’t made that decision yet.” Major League Baseball discourages teams from officially announcing their Opening Day starter before the league-wide “reveal.” …

Infielder Michael Stefanic (quad) was set to run the bases at about 85%, he said. Stefanic said he believes he can be playing in games within a week. Even though Stefanic estimated he’s gotten at least 25 at-bats worth of work in live batting practice, Washington said he doesn’t have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — The Dodgers, who have boasted a more highly regarded farm system than the Angels for more than a decade, have bragging rights after the inaugural Spring Breakout matchup.

A team of Dodgers prospects beat a team of Angels prospects, 8-1, on Saturday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Thayron Liranzo, a 20-year-old catcher who was playing first base, belted a two-run homer as part of a four-run second inning. Liranzo is ranked as the Dodgers’ 12th best prospect by Baseball America. A switch-hitter, Liranzo was hitting from the left side when he blasted the homer to right.

The game was part of a series in which Major League Baseball pitted prospect teams against one another.

Players who are already on 40-man rosters could opt out of playing in the game. Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel, for example, is technically their top prospect because he maintains rookie eligibility. He’s been playing in big league spring training games because he’s slated to be the Angels everyday first baseman.

Dodgers catcher Daulton Rushing, who is rated by Baseball America as their No. 1 prospect, did play in the game, batting third. Rushing singled, walked and struck out in three trips to the plate.

The Dodgers used two other players ranked by Baseball America in the organization’s top 10: outfielder Josue De Paula (No. 5) and left-hander Jackson Ferris (No. 9). De Paula had two hits and two RBIs.

Center fielder Kendall George (No. 14) had a double and a triple.

As for the Angels, even though Schanuel didn’t play, they still used five of their top 10 prospects: outfielder Nelson Rada (No. 2), right-hander Caden Dana (No. 3), infielder Kyren Paris (No. 5), right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (No. 9) and shortstop Denzer Guzman (No. 10).

Dana started on the mound for the Angels and worked two scoreless innings, striking out three.

Dana, a 20-year-old who was taken in the 2022 draft, was already in big league camp, so pitching in front of a crowd at Tempe Diablo Stadium was nothing new.

“I definitely treated it the same (as a big league exhibition game),” Dana said. “It’s definitely just as important. I think it was just cool, going against the prospects of another team.”

Dana fared better than Kochanowicz, who followed him to the mound. The Dodgers scored six runs against Kochanowicz in 1-2/3 innings.

Rada was 1 for 3 with a stolen base. Paris was 0 for 3 with 2 strikeouts. Guzman was 0 for 4 with a two strikeouts.

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THE GAME: The Angels returned to action following the previous day’s rainout, losing 4-3 to the Chicago Cubs in a Cactus League game Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander José Soriano gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings, two on a long homer from Christopher Morel. Soriano has been getting work as a starter this spring, but it’s still possible the Angels drop back into the bullpen if reliever Robert Stephenson starts on the injured list, which is increasingly likely. … Right-hander Guillo Zuñiga worked a scoreless inning. … Right-hander Ben Joyce pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit but then inducing a double play. … Right-hander Hunter Strickland struck out the side in one inning of work. Strickland has nine strikeouts and no walks in 7 1/3 innings this spring, allowing one run.

HITTING REPORT: Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer, his first of the spring. … Mike Trout doubled down the left-field line. He also reached on an error. Trout has 7 hits in his last 22 at-bats after starting the spring with an 0 for 10. Trout also stole his first base of the spring. …  The Angels scored a run in the bottom of the ninth and had the tying run at third when the game ended.

DEFENSE REPORT: First baseman Brandon Drury hung with a ground ball that took a wicked hop in the first inning. It was the second time this spring that Drury has started a game at first, with the others at second. … Second baseman Luis Rengifo made a bad throw after fielding a routine grounder. The ball went into the dugout, so it was a two-base error. Rengifo also couldn’t knock down a hard-hit ball to his backhand side up the middle. It was scored a hit. … Trout tracked down a fly ball deep into the gap in left-center… A fly ball dropped between Trout and right fielder Aaron Hicks.

UP NEXT: Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval) at Diamondbacks (RHP Zac Gallen) at Salt River Fields, 1:10 p.m. PT Sunday, Bally Sports West, 830 AM.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — One of the axioms of baseball is to never make the third out at third base.

The logic, of course, is that the reward of an extra 90 feet isn’t worth the risk of ending the inning.

However, Jo Adell has stolen third with two outs twice this spring. Both times led to runs because of defensive mistakes.

Those two plays are the perfect encapsulation of the attitude that new manager Ron Washington has brought to the Angels. Being aggressive on the bases is not merely lip service. The Angels are pushing the envelope to the point of tearing it this spring.

Which is the point.

“We’re trying to create an atmosphere where you can push the limits and see where you can go in spring training,” said third base-coach Eric Young, who came from Atlanta with Washington. “That’s what we’re finding out. Guys are finding out for themselves what they can and can’t do.”

Outfielder Mickey Moniak used a common investment philosophy to summarize the Angels’ strategy.

“Scared money don’t make money,” Moniak said. “If you don’t try it, you’re not gonna know if you can do it. If you don’t have the confidence you’re going to be able to do it, it’s going to hinder you a little bit. We know that’s going to be a huge part of our game going forward this season.”

The Angels have stolen 33 bases this spring, which is the most in the majors. They’ve also been caught stealing 12 times, which is tied for the second most.

Beyond that, they’ve been pushing players to take extra bases whenever possible. Earlier this week, even catcher Caleb Hamilton went from first to third on a single to right.

Washington admitted he was saying “no, no, no” until Hamilton was safe.

“You don’t usually see big catchers doing that,” Washington said. “They’ve taken to it. Everybody else has no choice.”

Catchers Logan O’Hoppe and Matt Thaiss have each stolen a base, as has slow-footed first baseman Nolan Schanuel, third baseman Anthony Rendon and DH Miguel Sanó.

More speedy players, like Moniak, Adell and Jake Marisnick, are thrilled with Washington’s philosophy.

“I love it,” said Marisnick, a non-roster invitee. “That’s how I play. I’ve seen it first hand, as an outfielder, if you know a team is aggressive that speeds things up in the outfield. That’s when you get bad throws. That’s when bad stuff happens for the team you’re being aggressive against. I love it. You’re seeing a lot of it in spring training.”

Adell, who is second to Mike Trout in sprint speed among players who are likely to be on the Angels’ Opening Day roster, said Washington, Young and first-base coach Bo Porter have all been pushing the style of baserunning.

“If you put pressure on a team, you make them play faster,” Adell said. “Our goal is to continue to put that level of pressure on them and make them make plays. That’s what we’re going to do.”

Adell, however, said that there is a line.

“It’s not just free running,” Adell said. “We want to run in the right situations … We’re going to be aggressive and smart.”

Adell flirted with that line on his two steals of third. Once, Chicago Cubs right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. was paying so little attention to Adell that he got a huge running start to third. Edwards didn’t even deliver the ball to the plate. By the time Edwards noticed Adell going, his throw to third was too late. The next hitter reached on an error, allowing Adell to score.

Earlier this week, Adell took off for third and Texas Rangers catcher Andrew Knizer made a bad throw. Adell scampered home as the ball bounced into the outfield.

“We certainly are very pleased with it producing runs, but we want them to understand that you’ve just got to make certain when you do that, with two outs, you have to make it,” Washington said. “You’ve got no excuse if you don’t make it.”

Young said learning how to play aggressively is part of spring training.

“We want to be aggressive, but when the season starts you’ve gotta be smart aggressive,” Young said. “Sometimes you just can’t go. I think Wash will bring back the reins a little bit. But as far as (Adell) having the attitude, which is what we want to create, and pushing the envelope, he’s definitely following the model that we’ve established from spring training. In the season, we’ll talk about situations when you should and shouldn’t go.”

NOTES

Right-hander Chase Silseth had been scheduled to start in Saturday’s Cactus League game, but when Friday’s game was rained out, the Angels decided to move right-hander José Soriano into Saturday’s start and have Silseth pitch in a minor-league game. Washington said the Angels wanted to see Soriano against big-league hitters. …

Starting Sunday, the Angels are going to put more emphasis on certain game situations to prepare for the regular season, Washington said. “I’m going to start putting on more signs, start trying to execute things,” Washington said. “You might all of the sudden see more hit and runs. You might start seeing more squeezes.” …

Brandon Drury and Zach Neto were in Saturday’s lineup after being out with illnesses. Neto had been scheduled to play Friday before the game was canceled.

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TEMPE, Ariz. — Robert Stephenson might not be ready to start the season after all.

Stephenson, who hasn’t pitched in a game this spring because of shoulder soreness, is still feeling enough discomfort that manager Ron Washington conceded Friday morning the right-hander may run out of time to be available by the March 28 opener.

Washington said the Angels already performed testing on Stephenson to assess the seriousness of the injury.

“We’ve done all that stuff,” Washington said. “Now it’s just a matter of getting through the discomfort. He understands what the issue is. I think he’s got a better grasp of some stuff he’s just going to have to deal with. It will get better in the distance, but before that he was unsure.

“The kid was scared. He never had that kind of discomfort before, but it’s nothing major. Now he knows that and we’ll progress a little quicker, but I don’t know if it will be quick enough for him to open the season.”

Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33-million deal with the Angels in January, was briefly shut down because of the shoulder problem early in the spring. He resumed throwing and progressed to full bullpen sessions, including all of his pitches.

As recently as Monday, Stephenson said he was “feeling pretty good,” and “moving in the right direction.” He said he “the plan still is to be ready for Opening Day.”

That would require Stephenson to get to live batting practice and then pitch at least a few times in games.

Stephenson, 31, was penciled in to be one of the Angels’ high leverage relievers, most likely working as the primary setup man for closer Carlos Estévez.

The Angels signed him on the heels of a strong finish last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. Stephenson, who tweaked his slider after a June trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates, posted a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts and eight walks in 38 1/3 innings with the Rays.

His contract includes an unusual clause that allows the Angels to add a team option if Stephenson misses time with a major elbow injury. That would not apply to a shoulder injury, though.

Although the Angels at this time don’t seem to be concerned that Stephenson has anything major, they are now considering whether they want to move right-hander José Soriano back to the bullpen.

Soriano posted a 3.64 ERA in 42 innings of relief with the Angels last season, but the Angels believe the 25-year-old still has a chance to be a quality starting pitcher, as he was before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Soriano is scheduled to start Friday afternoon against the Seattle Mariners. It would be his second start in a major-league exhibition, plus one in a B game.

“First, you take care of need, and then you can start thinking long term,” Washington said. “We decided we wanted to try to see if Soriano can start, and so far he has proven to us that he possibly can. Now, Stephenson down that means we’ve got a void in the bullpen. Now we’re going to make a decision on our need right there. Long term would be Soriano being a starter. But if we can’t fill that void in the bullpen, Soriano has done it before. We’ve got an option.”

The Angels have four other relievers left in camp to fight for a bullpen spot: right-handers Ben Joyce, Guillo Zuñiga and Hunter Strickland and left-hander Drew Pomeranz. If Stephenson isn’t ready, the choices are to put Soriano back in the bullpen and keep one of those pitchers, or leave Soriano as a rotation option – probably in the minors – and keep two of those relievers in the majors.

NOTES

Second baseman Brandon Drury returned to camp for a workout after being out with an illness for a few days. Drury was not in the lineup, but he might play Saturday. …

Shortstop Zach Neto, who had also been out with an illness, returned to the lineup Friday. Neto had come back to the facility for a workout Thursday. …

The Angels’ spring breakout prospect game is scheduled to be played at 4 p.m. Saturday, after the main exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs. The Angels prospects will play a team of Dodgers prospects in the late game. Right-hander Caden Dana is scheduled to start for the Angels. Although most of the spring breakout games are scheduled for seven innings, the Angels-Dodgers game will be nine innings.

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Ryan Falla, AngelsWin.com Staff Reporter

It appears fortunes are changing in Anaheim.

Where once was an organization laid bare of any internal development is now an Angels future full of the most young promise they've had since their glory days of fifteen years past. Whereas that legacy run was fueled by homegrown talents so too does this window look to be forced open by the quality of youth across the organization. This years Spring Training has offered a glimpse into the star studded future of 2025 and beyond with certain showcased talents making their names present such as Nelson Rada and Caden Dana among others. Among those hopeful cornerstones is the Angels switch hitting third base prospect Cole Fontenelle, coming into the organization as a 7th round pick in the 2023 draft. Cole Fontenelle is a true student of the game who’s diligence in studying the necessities in detail has fueled his meteoric rise to the Angels from TCUs resident super-clutch batsman. Not only is his mental in a league of its own, his physical tools across the board rate strongly for an organization readily searching for their third baseman of the future. Fontenelle brings with him a raw power often tapped into during the most critical of situations, an understanding of the strike zone that allows his power stroke the successes it saw in college, and most importantly a desire to absorb every analytic angle as if his future hung in the balance. As preparation and execution meet success so too does Cole Fontenelle breathe life onto the field with his attention to the game. 

“I honestly didn't have a high expectation to be in big league camp at all this Spring. I got the call from Perry saying ‘You're gonna be in big league camp’, he just told me you deserve this and to go there, do what you do and soak up as much information as possible. I've been learning as much as I can from everybody; really studying how people work, seeing their routines, seeing a lot of the pre-work and post-game work they do. Absorbing everything I can.”

Cole Fontenelle was an absolute menace at the plate in his short time with TCU as he logged a mind-boggling .352/.473/.640 slash with 14 HRs and 21 doubles in 65 games played, which would average out to about one extra-base hit every 2 games. The switch hitting Fontenelle worked the zone with exceptional proficiency from both sides as he balanced 45 BBs to 50 Ks in his lone year with the school pre-draft. His ability to pressure pitchers on the mound with his unceasing discipline was one of the bigger factors in his offensive success with TCU and will likely be the determinator of his success with the Angels. Fontanelle was no slouch on the base paths either as he wrangled 20 stolen bases with 66 runs scored, a mark that seemingly falls in line with the Angels re-geared organizational philosophies towards taking the extra bag and forcing runs in their favor. 

“It's about treating every at-bat the same, whether it was a Tuesday night with nobody in the crowd or it was a College World series or a super-regional.  For me it was about having the same approach, doing the same routine on deck, walking to the plate the same way. Being super consistent and also being diligent in my preparation. It made it a lot easier to handle those big situations, and it made it a lot easier when I transitioned into pro ball. This is baseball, I've prepared the best I could so now all I can do is go compete.”

Fontenelle quickly capitalized on his newfound professional opportunities post-draft by swinging for a .753 OPS in his first 38 games as a pro in Low A. His best qualities almost immediately shined through with the Angels organization as he displayed the clutch power genes brewing within on a daily basis. He opened his Low A debut with six hits and three RBIs in his first week of play before exploding mid-August with a sixteen game stretch that saw Fontenelle corral 16 hits and 15 RBIs with 8 XBHs; those being 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 3 HR’s. Fontenelle’s agile decision making at the plate and quick reads mixed with a swing that traces an elite path and bullies balls down in the zone were the biggest factors in his growing power successes last year. Furthered development should see Fontenelle continue acclimating to working the top half of the zone and beating secondaries in order to generate as many preferable pitches down his pipeline as possible.

“I want to get deeper into some counts, sometimes my aggressiveness works against me. I want to get to my pitches, I know when I get my pitches I'll be able to do damage. I’m not setting any numerical goals per se; this amount of home runs, this amount of doubles, I’m just making sure I'm super consistent with my approach and preparation, doing everything I can to know about who we're facing, the arms that might come in the game, so I'm as prepared as possible to go compete. I'm doing really good this spring and I'm excited to get into the season. Knowing I can compete allows me to feel confident going into the game.”

 

“I do damage in that low part of the zone, especially with fastballs. If a pitcher can make a mistake down there that's what I need to jump all over. It's good for me to know that high velocity and top tier sweepers/sliders are pitches that I can handle.  I'm doing really good this spring and I'm excited to get into the season. Knowing I can compete allows me to feel confident going into the game.”

There are many tools in baseball that will power an individual to the tallest heights of success, yet the more one studies the game the more it becomes apparent just how far being a consummate student can take you. His stark ability to absorb all the information spinning around him and amalgamate it into his own form has been on display long before his professional baseball days, or even his high school days. As a young baseball fan growing up in Seattle, Fontenelle enjoyed mimicking the stances of the Mariner standouts he looked up to at the time; those being Adrian Beltre, Raul Ibanez and Ichiro Suzuki, as he subconsciously developed his future professional form by imitating the batting stances of the Seattle trio. Success in baseball always comes down to the eyes, the way one sees the game, and likewise themselves in it, has the biggest impact on ones ability to succeed as a major leaguer. Cole Fontenelle is a talent full of soul, spark, and ingenuity both on and off the field; and with a bat and glove that plays as well as his mental it will only be a matter of time until he calculates his way to the highest reaches of success as a future Major League All-Star. 

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THE GAME: Playing without most of their regulars, the Angels managed just five hits in a 5-1 Cactus League loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday in Glendale, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Tyler Anderson walked the first two hitters of the game, after not walking anyone in his first three outings this spring. Both came around to score. “It’s really frustrating,” Anderson said. “You never want to walk anyone ever, and especially the first two. It just reaffirms that when they both score.” Anderson gave up one more run in his outing, which lasted 3⅔ innings. He has not made it through four innings yet. Anderson has allowed six earned runs in 12 innings, with 14 strikeouts and two walks this spring. … Left-hander Drew Pomeranz pitched 1⅓ scoreless innings, with one walk and one strikeout. Pomeranz has allowed four runs in six innings this spring, and all four scored in one of his seven outings. … Left-hander José Suarez gave up two runs in three innings, the first two runs he’s allowed this spring.

HITTING REPORT: The Angels had a patchwork lineup, even by spring training standards, with Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Taylor Ward playing in a minor league game, and Zach Neto and Brandon Drury out with illnesses. … Miguel Sanó was hitless in three at-bats, with two strikeouts. Sanó, who is fighting for a roster spot, is 6 for 33 (.182) this spring. … Mickey Moniak lined a pair of singles into right field. Moniak is 10 for 30 (.333) this spring. … Jake Marisnick singled, improving to 12 for 31 (.387) this spring.

DEFENSE REPORT: Moniak made a nice catch at the right field warning track. … Sanó, who was playing third, had a grounder deflect off his glove, but shortstop Luis Rengifo picked it up quickly enough to get the out at first. … Suarez fielded a squeeze bunt, quickly tagged the runner but then made an errant throw home. Moments later, the White Sox tried to score when a ball got past catcher Caleb Hamilton, but he flipped the ball to Suarez covering the plate in time for the out.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP José Soriano) vs. Mariners (TBD) at Tempe Diablo Stadium, Friday, 1:10 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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TEMPE, Ariz. — When the Angels signed outfielder Aaron Hicks in early February, he created a bit of a stir by telling reporters that he was going to be an everyday player.

The Angels, it turns out, had never told Hicks or his agent that. Hicks was simply speaking from years of experience and voicing his plan to play his way into that role.

“If you make yourself feel like you’re a bench player, you’re going to be a bench player,” Hicks said this week. “Obviously, I want to work my way into playing every single day. But, you know, whenever my name is called, I’ll be ready to go.”

Hicks is doing all he can this spring. Through his first 29 plate appearances, Hicks was 8 for 21 (.381) with eight walks.

Hicks said he’s been feeling good because he’s still sticking to the mechanical changes the Baltimore Orioles suggested last season, reviving his stalled career.

Hicks, 34, signed a seven-year, $70 million extension with the New. York Yankees in February 2019. It came on the heels of his best season, when Hicks hit 27 homers with an .833 OPS in 2018.

Ever since then, though, Hicks had been declining, to the point that the Yankees released him last May, when he was hitting .188. The Yankees still owed Hicks more than $27 million through the 2024 season.

The Orioles, who had a vacancy because they’d just lost Cedric Mullins to an injury, picked up Hicks, with the Yankees still paying the bulk of his salary.

Hicks hit .275 with seven homers and an .806 OPS over 236 plate appearances with the Orioles. He had a .381 on-base percentage.

“When I got to Baltimore, they already had a plan for me,” Hicks said. “They figured out what made me click and had certain drills that got me the results I was getting, and a lot of those are still going today.”

Part of his value to the Angels is that he’s a switch hitter who has a career .758 OPS against lefties. Last season he had a .970 OPS against lefties. That makes him the perfect platoon partner to go with left-handed hitting Mickey Moniak, if that’s the way the Angels choose to use him.

Of course, all of that is subject to change. If Hicks, Moniak or Jo Adell gets hot, any of them could work into playing every day.

“I’m just working hard and trying to make as big a splash in spring training as I possibly can,” Hicks said. “It seems like everybody’s having a good spring. It seems like this whole team is hitting. The vibes are good. The people here are all motivated to start off good and have a good season. That makes me happy, because all I want to do is win. So I’m excited.”

DECISION LOOMING

Angels manager Ron Washington said they are “close to coming to a decision” on an Opening Day starter.

Although he wouldn’t drop any names, he said “there are a couple of them that are already in line for it.”

Right-hander Griffin Canning and left-hander Reid Detmers both pitched on Wednesday, which would be perfectly in line to start the March 28 opener in Baltimore. Canning pitched five innings in an intrasquad game and Detmers pitched four in the regular exhibition against the Kansas City Royals. Each allowed one run.

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval hasn’t been as good as either Canning or Detmers in spring training, but his career track record is the best of the three. He last pitched on Monday. If he pitched next on Sunday — a game for which the Angels haven’t listed a starter — he could easily be worked into a schedule for the opener.

ROSTER BATTLES

The Angels essentially have two roster spots still up for grabs, barring injuries in the last two weeks.

The Angels optioned right-hander Kelvin Cáceres on Thursday, which reduced to four the number of candidates for the final bullpen spot. They will keep one from a group including right-handers Ben Joyce, Hunter Strickland and Guillo Zuñiga and left-hander Drew Pomeranz. They could keep two of those pitchers if Robert Stephenson (shoulder) doesn’t make it back in time, but Stephenson said he believes he can be ready.

The rest of the bullpen will be right-handers Carlos Estévez, Adam Cimber, José Cisnero and Luis Garcia and left-handers Matt Moore and José Suarez.

The candidates for the final position player spot are infielders Livan Soto, Ehire Adrianza and Miguel Sanó.

Strickland, Pomeranz, Adrianza and Sanó would need to be added to the 40-man roster.

NOTES

Center fielder Mike Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon were both scheduled to play in a minor league game on Thursday, the second straight day they got their work outside of the normal Cactus League game.  Washington said both players are expected to be back in the lineup for the big league exhibition game on Friday, when the Angels are back at home. …

Shortstop Zach Neto and second baseman Brandon Drury have both been out with illnesses. Neto returned to the ballpark on Thursday and went through a workout. …

Infielder Michael Stefanic (quad) said running on a treadmill on Wednesday went well, and he was set to run on the field on Thursday. Stefanic is expected to begin the season on the injured list. …

Infielder Luis Rengifo just started doing Washington’s famed infield drills on Wednesday, having missed a couple weeks of work because of his hamstring injury. “That puts a lot of strain on your legs,” Washington said of the drills, which the infielders do from their knees. “Now, he’s ready to do it.” Washington said that Rengifo won’t complete the progression that the other infielders have done until after the season begins.

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THE GAME: Miguel Sanó, who is fighting to return to the major leagues for the first time since 2022, hit his third home run of the spring, but the Angels lost to the Kansas City Royals, 3-2, on Wednesday in Surprise, Ariz.

PITCHING REPORT: Left-hander Reid Detmers gave up a homer to the first batter of the first inning, but then he did not allow another run through his four innings. Detmers walked two and struck out five. Detmers has allowed four earned runs in 8⅔ innings this spring. Manager Ron Washington said Detmers was “awesome.” … Right-hander Ben Joyce pitched a perfect inning, with one strikeout. … Right-hander Kelvin Caceres, who is in the running for the final spot in the bullpen, gave up a run on a hit and a walk. He had not allowed a run in his first five games. … Right-hander Carlos Estévez pitched a perfect inning.

HITTING REPORT: Miguel Sanó hit a homer to center field, tying him for the team lead. He also hit a line drive off the top of the right field fence, but the ball was hit so hard he was held to a single. “He’s starting to get his timing a little better,” Washington said. “The good thing is he’s using the whole field. That right fielder tried to make a move and the ball was over his head right away,” Washington said. Sanó also stole a base. He has only five stolen bases in 694 big league games. Sanó is 6 for 30 (.200) with four walks and an .814 OPS this spring. “I feel good,” Sanó said. “I’m healthy. I’ve been working every day in the cage with the hitting coaches and (guest instructor Vladimir Guerrero).” Sanó is competing with infielders Livan Soto and Ehire Adrianza for the final position player spot on the Opening Day roster. … Nolan Schanuel had two singles, improving to 10 for 35 (.286) this spring. … The Angels scored a run in the ninth and had the potential tying run at third when the game ended.

DEFENSE REPORT: Catcher Logan O’Hoppe picked a runner off first to end the fourth inning. … Right fielder Nelson Rada made a diving catch of a line drive in front of him. “When that ball was hit I thought for sure it was a double,” Washington said. “That’s a big league play.”

UP NEXT: Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson) at White Sox (RHP Michael Soroka) at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Ariz., Thursday, 1:05 p.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

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TEMPE, Ariz. — Jordyn Adams’ dream came true when he reached the big leagues, but it quickly became a nightmare.

Adams, who had been known as an outstanding defender, misplayed a fly ball and made three bad throws in his first big-league game in August in Atlanta. He also went hitless in four at-bats, with two strikeouts.

Now, the Angels’ 24-year-old prospect can look back on his big-league debut and appreciate what was missing.

“Mentally, I probably wasn’t ready for that,” Adams said this week. “It probably showed. But now I’m ready for anything.”

Angels manager Ron Washington, who was the Braves’ third-base coach when Adams made his debut, said he sees a different player now.

“He finally matured,” Washington said. “The first time I saw him, he couldn’t hit a cutoff man. The first time I saw him, he got a ball and didn’t know where to throw it. Now, he’s learning the game.”

Adams, who was optioned earlier this week, doesn’t have a spot in the Angels’ short-term plans because the outfield is crowded with Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak and Aaron Hicks.

In the long run, though, Adams could still work his way into a role.

Adams hit .128 in the majors, with no extra base hits. He hit 15 homers with an .817 OPS last season at Triple-A.

Adams said he’s been working on his defense and making more consistent contact. He struck out in 16 of his 40 plate appearances in the big leagues, and his 27% strikeout rate in the minors is also high.

“As long as I get a good swing off, that’s the main part for me,” Adams said. “Last year, I was getting in position to not even get a good swing off.”

Part of that involves “simplifying” his mechanics and turning back to his athleticism, Adams said.

“Most guys when they get to pro ball, you try to change stuff and tweak stuff and just fit in,” Adams said. “But at the end of the day, you are yourself. Athleticism is my best tool, so I just tried to put myself in that position to let that come out and show.”

Washington said there’s still more to come in that respect.

“He’s got a little baby body,” Washington said of Adams, who is listed at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. “He’s not a man yet. I told him that. He’s still got some shoulders to get. He’s still got some chest to get. He’s still got some legs to get. And he’s still got some knowledge he’s got to pick up. When all that comes together, he’s gonna be dangerous.”

The knowledge comes with comfort in the big leagues, which Adams admittedly lacked last year, but not now.

“The nerves are gone,” he said. “The butterflies are done. Now, it’s time to go out and perform.”

STILL HERE

Third baseman Cole Fontenelle, who was drafted last year, remains in big-league camp, even though almost all of the prospects who aren’t in the immediate big-league plans have now been sent to the minors.

“If I was a betting man, I’d would have told you no,” Fontenelle said when asked if he expected to be around this long. “But I’m super grateful for every day here. I’m just trying to take advantage of it.”

Washington said Fontenelle’s continued presence in big-league camp is because infield coach Ryan Goins wants to keep working with him.

“He’s made tremendous strides in his game,” Washington said. “Ryan wanted to keep hitting him till he can’t keep him any more.”

Fontenelle, 22, was the Angels’ seventh-round pick out of Texas Christian University last year. A left-handed hitter, Fontenelle hit .261 with a .738 OPS last summer in two Class-A stops. He has played in 13 big-league games this spring on Wednesday, with three hits in 19 at-bats.

INTRASQAD ACTION

Trout, third baseman Anthony Rendon and right-hander Griffin Canning remained in Tempe to get their work done while many of their teammates made the hourlong intrastate trip to Surprise for the game against the Kansas City Royals.

Canning pitched five innings in the intrasquad game, allowing only one run on a Trout homer. Trout came to the plate five times, and he also reached on a walk.

Rendon had a single to right field and an infield hit in three plate appearances. He also made a nice play charging a chopper to third.

Aaron Hicks also played in the game, after being scratched from Monday’s lineup with what the Angels described as “body soreness.”

NOTES

Infielder Michael Stefanic (quad) resumed running Wednesday after taking a couple days off because he wasn’t feeling as good as he’d hoped. Stefanic has continued to hit and do defensive work. …

Stefanic’s injury, and the recent demotion of Kyren Paris, has brought some clarity to the race for the final position player spot on the opening day roster. Infielders Livan Soto, Ehire Adrianza and Miguel Sanó are the remaining candidates for the job. Of those three, Soto is the only one on the 40-man roster. …

Torii Hunter made his first appearance of the spring as a special instructor Wednesday.

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On this episode of the AngelsWin Podcast, the guys welcome the television voice of the Angels, Wayne Randazzo!  They discuss Wayne’s first season with the team, what he’s looking forward to in 2024, the differences between the Mets and Angels’ fanbases and much more. 

Geoff and Chuck wrap up the show with a recap of the AngelsWin 2024 Spring Training Fanfest in Tempe and Chuck’s thoughts about how the team looked.  

Grab a seat, grab and drink and enjoy Episode 31!  

If you missed our first interview with Wayne Randazzo last April, you can check that out here: 

 

Don't miss an episode by following us on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, iHeart Radio and Amazon Music.

You can also watch or listen to the audio portion of all of our podcasts on our website here: https://www.angelswin.com/podcast/

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Hear that sound? It's the crack of the bat and roar of the crowd signalling America's pastime is BACK! There's no better way to kick off the MLB season than with an exclusive look at the future stars of the game.

That's why we're going to knock your socks off with LIVE Spring Breakout action from March 14-16! Thanks to our amazing partners at Major League Baseball, you can livestream these top prospect matchups without paying a dime.

MLB.com's Angels beat reporter has everything you need to know about this contest between the Dodgers and Angels farmhands that are set to square off this Saturday here: https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-angels-spring-breakout-2024-faq?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

If you'd like to watch one of the other games live on AngelsWin.com, please let us know and we can accommodate you due to our partnership with STN & MLB.

You can watch the Angels vs. Dodgers game on March 16th at 4:10pm PST below.

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels were just past halfway through the exhibition schedule as they reached their first off day on Tuesday, and little had changed from what we thought heading into the spring.

There have been some encouraging signs and they’ve avoided any significant injuries. They also haven’t signed any of the prominent free agents who were available at the start of camp.

Owner Arte Moreno said in an interview last month that he didn’t want to spend money “unless it’s going to substantially change the team,” and he seems to be sticking to that. So, no Blake Snell. At least, not now.

Beyond that question, here’s what else was on your mind when we asked last week.

Q: Any clue yet how the outfield at-bats will be divided up? Specifically curious if they’re viewing (Jo) Adell/(Mickey) Moniak as some kind of platoon or if they’re trying to get equal at-bats to all four outfielders with the DH slot being utilized at times. Thanks — @j_thomas_421

A: The more likely platoon is Moniak and Aaron Hicks, because their splits are both heavily slanted toward one side. Moniak would play against righties and Hicks, who is a switch-hitter, against lefties. Adell has performed equally against righties and lefties throughout his career.

Given that, I think the only thing you can really predict about the way the Angels will use their outfielders is that Moniak and Hicks won’t play in the same lineup.

Beyond that, there are plenty of configurations they could use, including putting one of the outfielders in the DH spot. I would expect Moniak, Hicks and Adell to all get plenty of opportunities to play alongside Mike Trout and Taylor Ward. Obviously, if one player separates himself with a better performance, he’ll get to play more.

Q: What do you predict will be the 5-man rotation to start the season? — @mkl8522

A: Although the Angels – and most teams – often come into spring training with at least one rotation spot up for grabs, this year the Angels have stuck to the five they had when camp began.

Barring injury, the five starters will be left-handers Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers and Tyler Anderson and right-handers Griffin Canning and Chase Silseth.

It remains to be seen what order the Angels will use, including who will start on Opening Day.

Q: Presumably, the Angels think they have enough starting pitching to begin the season.  What makes them think so? — @taz1601

A: General Manager Perry Minasian would never say that he has “enough” starting pitching. The fact that they didn’t sign a premium free agent – yet? – is only an indication that so far the cost for a starting pitcher upgrade didn’t fit with what the Angels perceive their need to be.

All of that being said, the Angels’ biggest hope for their starters is that all five of them have been successful, to varying degrees, in the majors. They also believe that they can get more out of the pitchers than they did last year simply from the way they use them, including a new philosophy from the pitching coach and the analytics team.

Q: Do you think Perry and Arte’s approach to free agency is not as bad as people make it or will not spending enough this year be a major factor in their success in 2024? — @JCano89

A: I think people make too much of free agents, period.

The Angels’ failure in the past has been more about underperformance of dozens of cheap, homegrown players than it is about the underperformance of a small number of free agents.

If the Angels are good again in the next few years, it’s going to be because of guys like Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Sandoval, Detmers … and Mike Trout. Not because of someone they signed over the winter.

Q: Big fan in NC here – my question – Is the farm system really as bad as they rank us? — @tvcola

A: The Angels certainly don’t believe that their farm system is that bad. They are particularly optimistic about pitchers like Caden Dana and Victor Mederos.

It’s also worth noting that they are getting major league production from players like Neto, O’Hoppe, first baseman Nolan Schanuel and Silseth.

These players have crossed through the system so quickly that they don’t make much of a dent as “prospects” before becoming “major leaguers.”

Q: Why is (Miguel) Sanó getting such a long look? Moniak and Adell should get DH AB’s when not playing and (Luis) Rengifo can back up third base, (Brandon) Drury can back up first, and Schanuel can hit against lefties regardless. — @Choleeco

A: All of that sounds good, assuming no one underperforms and no one gets hurt. In reality, the Angels are in no position to stop looking for players who have a chance to help them, especially when the cost and risk are both minimal.

There are plenty of at-bats in spring training to go around for Sanó to get an opportunity, while the other players you mention also get enough at-bats to be ready.

Q: What do you feel is the most different about spring training compared to the past few years, in terms of practices, players’ approach, and other aspects? — @dru_tweety

A: Several elements seem different, starting with the Angels’ aggressiveness on the bases. They are running at every opportunity, not just stealing bases, but also taking extra bases.

Defensively, the infielders have put in more time on fundamentals with early morning drills.

The pitchers are putting much more emphasis on throwing strikes, which has helped to reduce their walks.

Manager Ron Washington is also playing his regulars more than previous Angels managers, with veterans often starting two or three days in a row.

Finally, the atmosphere is much different without the media horde that followed Shohei Ohtani. Players loved having Ohtani on the field, but they also seem to appreciate the extra space provided by his absence.

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