The Angels are getting set for a huge three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend, and their roster is going to look much different when first pitch hits at 6:38 p.m. PT on Friday night.
Hours before game time, the team announced a series of roster moves that includes five big-league players.
First, the team officially announced that they selected the contract of 2023 first-round pick Nolan Schanuel, who will be making his debut and leading off on Friday night. Seriously ... leading off.
Then, the team announced that Logan O'Hoppe, who's been out since April 20 with a torn labrum, is ready to go earlier than expected, and was reinstated from the IL.
Catcher Chad Wallach was designated for assignment to make room for O'Hoppe.
But that's not all.
Additionally, C.J. Cron was placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation, retroactive to August 16.
And finally, Anthony Rendon was moved to the 60-day injured list with his shin injury.
There's a lot to unpack here, but to make it easier, you read more about Nolan Schanuel by clicking here, and you can read more about the Anthony Rendon situation by clicking here.
To summarize, Schanuel is getting thrown into the fire less than six weeks after being drafted in an unprecedented move, while Rendon is making a case to have the worst contract in MLB history. Let's get to the rest of the moves.
O'Hoppe wasn't expected to be back this soon, however, less than four months after having surgery to repair his torn labrum, he's back and starting at catcher for the Halos.
That's a huge boost for the Angels, as O'Hoppe was off to a scorching start this season before coming down with the injury, slashing .283/.339/.547 with four home runs, 13 RBIs and an OPS of .886 in 53 at-bats.
He's replacing Wallach, who was designated for assignment after slashing .209/.279/.403 with seven home runs and 13 RBIs in 134 at-bats this season.
Finally, there's Cron, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Colorado Rockies, but has been dealing with lower back inflammation that just has not gotten better.
Cron has struggled mightily in his return to Anaheim, slashing .217/.280/.283 with one home run and five runs batted in across 46 at-bats. Hopefully he can fully heal, and get back to being the player the Angels were expecting when they traded for him.
Cron's injury is a big reason why the Angels decided to call up Schanuel this early, as he plays first base.
Between Schanuel (21) and O'Hoppe (23), the Angels lineup just got a whole lot younger.
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