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Angels’ Jared Walsh still searching for swing after late start to his season

June 17, 2023

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jared Walsh fought a battle to just get back onto the field, and now he’s fighting to stay.

The Angels first baseman missed two months dealing with neurological issues and insomnia that impacted his quality of life to the point that he sought help from a special clinic in Utah.

Those issues have improved enough for him to play, but still aren’t 100% behind him.

“It seems to be coming along,” Walsh said. “Trying to stay patient.”

In the meantime, the time spent away from the game has clearly had an impact on his performance. Walsh is hitting .111 with a .418 OPS in 24 games since he’s been back. He has struck out in 24 of his 74 plate appearances. His 11 walks represent the only bright spot in his numbers.

“I think taking two months off, without doing a ton of baseball stuff, and trying to hit these guys on a nightly basis has been tough,” Walsh said on Saturday, drenched in sweat from a session in the batting cage. “Don’t really have many pretty stats to look at up on the scoreboard. It feels like kind of starting over.”

Walsh said it’s been difficult to remain confident, but he’s trying to be as upbeat as possible, especially while the team has been winning.

“In terms of the controllables, I think I’ve done a good job,” Walsh said. “I’m still working hard. I think I’m being a good teammate. Bringing a good attitude. But there’s no question when your batting average is .110, looking at the scoreboard is difficult. I just try to be real conscious of what information I take in. I understand I haven’t lived up to my potential and there’s expectations and I haven’t met those yet. But it is what it is. I’ve just got to go about my business the right way and hope things turn soon.”

Manager Phil Nevin said the Angels will continue to give Walsh opportunities to get righted. They no longer play him against all right-handers, as was the plan initially. He was not in the lineup for Saturday’s game against a right-hander.

“He’s scuffling,” Nevin said. “There are some timing issues. When you take that much time away from the game at this point in the season, it gets tough, but he’s gonna get a chance. We still think highly of him. To get him going would be great for this group.”

The Angels have no easy solutions with Walsh at this point.

He is the best defensive first baseman on the team. His absence was felt throughout the infield early in the season. Gio Urshela is probably the second best first baseman, but now he’s out for an extended period with a broken pelvis.

If the Angels send Walsh to Triple-A, they’ll have to rely on Brandon Drury at first base, and that’s not his best position.

This weekend the Angels began trying Hunter Renfroe and Taylor Ward at first in pregame workouts, although they view Renfroe as a much more viable alternative there. That would also help alleviate the outfield logjam created by Mickey Moniak’s emergence.

Trey Cabbage, who is naturally an outfielder, has been playing some first base at Triple-A, and he’s hitting .293 with a .969 OPS. The Angels have concerns about Cabbage’s defense at first, as well as his ability to hit major league fastballs.

RENDON UPDATE

Anthony Rendon’s “day to day” wrist injury is going to last at least four days, with the injured list still a possibility if he can’t play on Tuesday.

Rendon was hit in the left wrist by a pitch on Thursday. Although X-rays showed no break, the joint is still swollen.

Nevin said they had hoped Rendon could play by Sunday, but he acknowledged on Saturday that “that might be a stretch.” The Angels are off on Monday, and then have two games against the Dodgers, followed by another off day.

“Tuesday is not out of the realm,” Nevin said. “If we get past that point, (the injured list) is probably something we have to discuss.”