Telepeer

Jo Adell returns to Angels for another cameo

June 27, 2023

ANAHEIM — Jo Adell is back with the Angels for what could be another cameo, providing another opportunity to wonder when he’ll be up to stay.

The Angels recalled the outfielder from Triple-A on Monday because infielder Eduardo Escobar was placed on the restricted list so he could take his test for United States citizenship back in Florida.

Escobar is expected back either Tuesday or Wednesday, which means Adell’s second trip to the majors this year could be just one or two games. He was up for three days earlier this month when Hunter Renfroe was on the paternity list.

General Manager Perry Minasian said on Monday that Adell is showing improvement.

“Jo’s been outstanding,” Minasian said. “He’s made some strides in all areas. Defensively he’s really really improved. I give a lot of credit to him for putting in the work, and our staff for putting together a plan and helping them reach the point where he is right now, which is a pretty good defender.”

Adell, 24, has hit .277 with 21 home runs and a .944 OPS at Triple-A. He has struck out in 27.6% of his plate appearances and walked in 10.6%.

For comparison, last season Adell had a .920 OPS in Triple-A, including a 31.1% strikeout rate and an 11.1% walk rate. That translated to a major league average of .224 with a .637 OPS.

“Obviously he’s swung the bat well in Triple-A,” Minasian said. “He came up for a short period of time, will be up today. He’ll have his chance at some point, and I look forward to seeing what he does with it.”

Players can be optioned up to five times once the season begins. Adell’s next option will be his second.

NEW INFIELDERS

Addressing the weekend trades for Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas for the first time, Minasian said he felt it was important to make moves to help bolster the roster because the players have remained in contention so well throughout adversity.

“The players put themselves in a position to where we’re in contention for a playoff spot, and I don’t take that lightly,” Minasian said. “They’ve worked really hard to be at this point, especially with some of the challenges we’ve gone through over the course of the season. So now I look at it as my turn to help, to continue adding talent to the roster, like we try to do day in and day out from a baseball operation standpoint. We felt like both players would help us, not only on the field but off the field.”

Both Escobar and Moustakas can play multiple infield positions, but Manager Phil Nevin said the lineup that makes the most sense is Moustakas at first base and Escobar at third.

Nevin said he wants to try to keep Brandon Drury at second as much as possible.

“Guys moving around, I just don’t want to do that,” Nevin said. “I’d rather have one guy out of position than three guys playing positions they haven’t played a lot. I think all around that’s our best defensive look.”

INJURY UPDATES

Third baseman Anthony Rendon (bruised wrist) did some baseball work, including taking ground balls on Monday. Nevin said “today seems to be the best day yet,” but he wouldn’t commit to when Rendon will be able to play, beyond saying “I think we’re close.”

Left-handed reliever Matt Moore (oblique) still needs to have another simulated game or two before he’s ready, Nevin said. The Angels hoped that Moore might be ready after one simulated game on Saturday, but they determined that he needs more work.

Right-hander Ben Joyce (ulnar neuritis) played catch inside the cage, the first time he had thrown since he went on the injured list. Joyce said he no longer feels any more symptoms, but it’s still too early to have a timeline for his return.

“They’re putting the ball in my hand,” Joyce said. “We’ll see how it goes and take it from there.”

Shortstop Zach Neto (oblique) has not yet begun any baseball activity, but he is hoping that on Friday he’ll be able to begin some light throwing. Neto said he no longer feels any symptoms, but he feels “a good soreness” from returning to workouts after a couple of weeks off. There is no timetable for him to return.

NOTES

Infielder Kyren Paris and catcher Edgar Quero were both selected from the Angels’ Double-A team to participate in the Futures Game next month in Seattle. Paris, 21, has a .760 OPS and Quero, 20, has a .719 OPS. “We’ve challenged both with the assignments they’re at,” Minasian said. “They’re very young for that level. And they’ve taken that challenge and run with it and says a lot about them. They’re both well worthy of that honor and will represent us really well.” …

Catcher Chris Okey cleared waivers and accepted an outright to Triple-A. Okey had been designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot over the weekend. …

Nevin said the Angels had no reluctance to allow Escobar to leave the team temporarily to complete the lengthy process of becoming a citizen. “When he talked about it, his eyes lit up,” Nevin said. “This is something he’s looked forward to for a long time and we certainly wouldn’t take that away from him. Some things are more important than baseball and this certainly is.”

UP NEXT

White Sox (RHP Michael Kopech, 3-6, 4.06 ERA) at Angels (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 6-3, 3.13 ERA), Tuesday, 6:38 p.m., Angel Stadium, Bally Sports West, 830 AM

Los Angeles Angels |

Alexander: Former baseball scouts’ age discrimination suit was inevitable

Los Angeles Angels |

Game Day: Angels’ strange weekend is ultimately a plus

Los Angeles Angels |

Angels go from blowout win to one-run loss against Rockies

Los Angeles Angels |

Angels’ Mike Moustakas happy to join a contender

Los Angeles Angels |

Angels set franchise records in 25-1 rout of Rockies

Orange County Register