Infielder Luis Rengifo has played in just one Cactus League game, and he has now been sidelined for over a week due to a nagging hamstring injury. Rengifo described the problem as just a cramp, yet after being twice scratched from the Angels’ lineup within the last week, manager Ron Washington told reporters (including MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger) that the team will “back off” and give him more time to recover. Washington said that Rengifo had been battling an illness that also delayed his spring work, and with all of these setbacks in mind, Washington wasn’t sure if the infielder will be able to break camp with the team.
Putting Rengifo on the 10-day injured list to begin the season might be worthwhile if it allows Rengifo to put all his spring injuries fully behind him, and gives him some extra time to properly ramp up for the start of his 2025 campaign. With over two weeks remaining before the Angels’ first regular-season game, Rengifo might yet be able to get on track if he can return to Spring Training action relatively soon, yet the clock is ticking on his readiness.
Losing Rengifo even for a bit of time would deliver another hit to an Angels infield that is already down two players. Zach Neto will miss the start of the year due to his ongoing recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, though Neto is expected to take the field before April is over. Anthony Rendon underwent hip surgery last month and has already been placed on the 60-day IL, and given Rendon’s lengthy injury history and the significant recovery time any player would require coming off a hip procedure, it is fair to wonder if Rendon might get on the field at all before 2025 is out.
Kevin Newman is expected to play shortstop while Neto is out, and the infield injuries had already seemingly opened the door for veteran minor league signings Tim Anderson and J.D. Davis to be part of the Opening Day roster. If Rengifo is also out, Scott Kingery, Carter Kieboom, or Yolmer Sanchez are other players in camp with MLB expreience, or the Angels could look within their system to promote Kyren Paris or 2024 first-rounder Christian Moore (who has already been getting reps at both second and third base).
When healthy, the versatile Rengifo may very well get some time at shortstop or third base as the Angels try to plug as many holes as possible. However, the Halos’ plan was for the bulk of Rengifo’s playing time to come as the team’s regular second baseman. Rengifo has played all three of those infield positions during his six Major League seasons, and also gotten some playing time at all three outfield positions (primarily right field). Heading into spring camp, Los Angeles was intending to give Rengifo some more looks as a center fielder, but that plan obviously got scrubbed by Rengifo’s hamstring woes.
Rengifo had another injury concern hanging over him even before Spring Training began, as he underwent a wrist surgery last August that brought an early end to his 2024 campaign. That procedure cut short what was shaping up as Rengifo’s most productive year at the plate, as his .300/.347/.417 slash line over 304 plate appearances translated to a 117 wRC+. Previously known just for his defensive flexibility, Rengifo has posted above-average and steadily improving wRC+ numbers in each of the last three seasons.
This production made Rengifo a popular figure at last year’s trade deadline, though the Angels elected to keep the utilityman as he is heading into his last season of team control. Between his multi-positional ability and another good year with the bat, a healthy Rengifo could line himself up nicely for a noteworthy free contract next winter, and he’ll likely draw more trade attention this summer if the Angels are again out of contention.
Curses
The Curse of Moreno
Nope. The Angels were cursed far far before Moreno.
Paris is looking good so far. As long as rengifo isn’t out that long it should be fine.
Paris’s revamped swing has definitely given him a much better chance of sticking in the majors. It’s a nice surprise spring training story.
@kellin. Looks like he put on some muscle too. Definitely was thinking he was the 5th ss on the team, and Anderson was a lock. It’s definitely uncertain. Moancada might not have a locked position when rengifo comes back
Moncada may have found his swing over the weekend, but we’ll see. Also, 7 walks is still getting on base, regardless,
@kellin. Moancada is probably safe because of rengifo being hurt. After a couple weeks. Who knows maybe he spilts with newman.
I see Paris I see France
Paris does look good, but I’d rather see him at short. Neto doesn’t have much range, but has a good arm.
If Paris is real, this is a better team with Paris and Neto manning the keystone.
Moore has a long way to go to be a major league middle infielder.
@halo11fan. Yeah with rengifo hurt. I think they put Paris at short, and newman at 2nd. You might as well give Paris a couple week trial. If it’s not working keep Anderson on the bench.
Rex, Neto isn’t even throwing yet. Meaning, let’s see if Paris is real.
If Paris continues to prove he belongs in the bigs. I can see him in CF before long. No one has stepped up there.
Neto is not going to be moved from SS. Let’s be real about it. So a logical spot for Paris maybe CF if Adel or Moniak continue to be mediocre.
@angels1972. Probably ss to start the season Probably 2nd after neto comes back. He has a good shot to be a starter for a month, if he doesn’t look good Anderson can stay as the last spot on the bench.
@rexhudler Completely agree he seems to have earned that shot at being there opening day. With the glut of utility infielders, and Paris having some CF experience, if Adel and or Moniak continue down the path of mediocrity, then why not put Paris there, it makes more sense than Rengifo in my opinion.
@angels. He most likely will be the 3rd option in cf, probably a emergency situation. I don’t really see him leaving the infield. Moore and kingery probably getting sent down. Rengifo is playing today so he could be ready. He could alternate with moancada to start out the season at third.
@rexhudler I think you are missing my point.
I agree. He seems to played well enough to be the SS until Neto comes back, but after Neto comes back if he is still doing as well as he is right now, and if Adell and Moniak are still sub-par, then I feel he should slide into CF as a regular, just to keep his bat in the line up.
I get it…once the season starts many many things can change, but as it stands if they continue . I’d be happy with him in CF ahead of the other two.
This is really a whole bunch of “what ifs” anyways.
@angels. Not missing the point I think he starts in the infield and sticks. I agree its a bunch of “ifs” moniak and adell should get 400 at bats this season to see if we can move ward. Paris can be sent down if everyone is performing. It’s alot of depth I’m not use too.
@rex I guess we agree to disagree. ha ha ha
Unfortunately I don’t see how he can stay in the infield and play regularly once Neto gets back, and this point of his career he needs to play regularly. If Paris is still hitting .300 it is the best problem the Angels can have.
Neto is not a good shortstop, and I doubt he’ll get better. Not with ten percent range. Statcast has his defensive value 25%, meaning three out of every four shortstops are better than him.
Neto should be the one sliding to second or third.
Neto is not being moved off of SS. It really doesn’t matter what Statcast shows. Neto is staying at SS.
Adell is a great hitter, it doesn’t matter what statcast says.
It’s no wonder we lost 99 games last year and have a terrible farm system.
I have no idea why you want to compare Neto to Adell.
Neto is at the very least starting to establish himself into being a fixture within the Angels line-up. Adell has not even come close to that yet.
Statcast is a “predictor” based upon previous performance and other so-called measurements. Statcast had Adell back on 2020 as practically a can’t miss.
While it is fun to look at it, statcast is not end all be all for everything baseball. The bottom line is the player has to go out and succeed based upon pure natural ability.
Going back to Neto. I am not arguing that he is a premier SS. I am just stating he is the Angels SS for the foreseeable future. There is no one in camp that has proven themselves at the major league level to even entertain moving him at this point.
I’m not. I’m comparing evaluation tools.
Out of college, Neto was not expected to be a major league shortstop. Are we going to keep him there despite the evidence?
In a nutshell, that’s the problem with this organization. Schanuel’s has no bat speed… who cares? Moore can’t play defense and has huge holes in his game. Who cares? Bachman short arms the ball and is unlikely to be a major league starter. Who cares?
Neto doesn’t have the range to be a quality major league shortstop…who cares?
This organization has no idea what it’s doing?
The against the grain attitude is one of the reasons we suck and have a terrible farm system.
This team needs a complete overhaul.
He is at this point their best option at SS. I do not understand why you are kick the dead horse. Not once have I said Neto is an all star caliber SS. I have said (repeatedly) he is their best option for the foreseeable future.
“we suck”? If you are refereeing to the Angels, I don’t think the Angels suck. I think they have made big strides in improving their young core and while they have a long way to go, they will continue build upon their young core.
He is the best option. Bobby Grich came up as a shortstop and is the best secondbaseman this team has ever had. Neto maybe the second best.
But in this team’s long term future, he should be moved off short. Moore needs to be moved off second. Schanuel’s needs to stop rolling over the ball in a wasted attempt to hit for power.
These are not 18 year old players with lots of growth potential. They are who they are. They can make strides, but they are not going to become different players.
It drives me crazy.
I read that Moore was a bad secondbaseman, that appears to be an understatement.
Once again…………..
Neto is the Angels BEST OPTION at SS right now, It seems as if you are the only one clamoring to move him. Besides, moving him just creates another hold when 2b is a lot earlier hole to fix at this point.
Your argument is severely flawed in comparing him to Grich. Grich came up and played because Belanger was hurt. Grich moved to 2nd because he proved he belonged in the majors. Until someone steps up and proves they belong in the majors, there is little sense in moving Neto.
@angelsfan1972. I think we started it by saying Paris would be the starting ss until neto comes back. Either way newman and Paris should be starters until players return. I just think second will be open and they want newman on the bench. Don’t think Anderson and newman would block Paris from playing unless he slumps and gets sent down. That being said Paris is playing center field today so who the heck knows.
@rexhudler See the Angels read our conversation and listened to me! ha ha ha ha
I do agree that Paris has at the very least played well enough to be out at SS until Neto is healthy enough to return. If he continues to play well, then whatever position is lacking (3b, 2b, CF) Paris should slide and continue getting his reps.
@angelsfan1972. Yeah i just rather go with moniak and adell one more year. If they don’t show improvement time to move on and it’s looking like we have two replacements in lugo, and Paris with some position flexibility.
@rexhudler I hear you. They probably have another month or so to get on track.
And we should be open to moving him for the reason I stated.
Deny it all you want, but the Angels ignore issues these players issues they have in college. College coaching is fantastic today. But the Angels think they know better. They don’t.
Neto is not a good shortstop, and wasn’t in college. Moore is a horrible secondbaseman, and was in college. Schanuel’s has no bat speed, and didn’t have any in college. Bachman has a delivery suited for the pen and did in college.
The Angels draft polished college players hoping they can change them, and often at the major league level.
It’s insanely stupid.
And by the way, I don’t know if Paris is a good shortstop.
@halos11fan. Or you can draft the next mickey moniak. I can’t get behind the neto hate. He’s the first pick in awhile that’s decent the last one was ward, and it took awhile. You probably crapped on that too.
@Halo11
That has been my point all along!!!!!!
If you do not have a replacement, then why even think about moving Neto? Besides that you don’t even know if Neto is going to be up to your standards at 2b.
Who else, besides you, is saying Neto needs to be moved because of his defensive abilities? You seem to be making things up just to create arguments. You tell me dent it all I want, when I wasn’t denying a thing, I was saying you are not solving anything by moving him right now.
@rexhudler I am not counting out Moore yet, the guy has basically 1/4 of a season of professional experience. Ultimately the Angels may have to move him, but everyone needs to give him the chance to either succeed (or fail) before passing judgement on such a young player.
I do not understand the tirades from other people about how bad he is when most of those same people constantly preached how Adell needs to be given a chance to prove he is as good as advertised.
@angels1972. Agreed halos defended rendon until it expired. We also debated about rengifo’s defense, he came around and we argued about whether 2nd or 3rd was his best position. He won that. 3rd is passable. Moore was another one he looked decent with the trash pandas (watched ten games) looked horrible in spring training. He wants to draft HS players to develop like adell well he’s a mixed bag as well. Hopefully we don’t send him to mental ward for three months again, but I don’t mind him. He’s a fan
Because unless he drastically improves, he has to be moved off the position.
I hate the idea of on the job training at the major league level.
I don’t expect the Angels to be competitive, and he should be moved before the team is ready.
He just hurt his shoulder, the Angels don’t have a secondbaseman, so now is a good time.
He really should have been moved out of college.
Why are you refusing to answer me?
Who else, BESIDES YOU, is saying Neto should be moved off of SS?
The answer is:
No one
Nice to see you up to your old antics in trying to create arguments for the sake of your amusement.
@angels he dodged both of us. He also said paris might not be a great ss. So who’s the ss trout. I do agree with neto maybe sliding to 2nd because of the surgery kim is doing the same so it makes sense for at least half the year. But agree with you that neto is the guy for the future.
Rengifo, when healthy, will make a great trading chip.
Trade him to Buffalo. Buffalo chip
Jackie, Davis, and Kingery aren’t lighting Angels camp on fire but all serve purposes at least in the early going.
@rsox. Yeah, but paris is he looked like a busted 2nd round pick. But yeah still think Anderson, and Davis might get a couple week trial to begin the season. Kingery, moore, and Paris have options. Davis, and Anderson probably have opt outs.
My opening day roster: I would send Kingery and Detmers to AAA. Moore to AA – probably for a short time to work on cutting down on k’s)
O’Hoppe C
d’Arnaud C
Schanuel 1B
Anderson 2B/SS
Moncada 3B
Newman SS/2B
Noda 1B/OF
Davis 3B/1B
Paris 2B/SS/OF
Trout OF
Ward OF
Moniak OF
Adell OF
Soler DH
Kikuchi SP
Soriano SP
Anderson SP
Hendricks SP
Kochanowicz SP
Jansen CL
Joyce RP
Burke RP
Zeferjahn RP
McDaniels RP
Quijada RP
Suarez RP
That is not a good roster.
He’s gate to add players from other teams to make one of those.
Best Halos can do this season. They are definitely deeper and in a better position than last season in all areas.
And more importantly the team has guys like Christian Moore, Caden Dana, George Klassen, Sam Aldegheri, and on your scenario Reid Detmers on the minors.
Some decent returns for Rengifo, Ward, and Anderson and we could really help the rebuild.
Agreed HH. Silseth also good piece in minors. He and Detmers – two guys I feel comfortable with recalling in case of injury, ineffectiveness, or later, trade.
After today’s start vs the Rangers, I would guess that Suarez is cut and either Crouse or Detmers will fill the last pitching roster spot. Suarez was given ample opportunity to face Rangers regulars and failed miserably. Detmers if Perry/Wash think they need long relief/backup 6th starter and Crouse if they feel their RH middle relief needs another arm. 3 relievers who appear to be locks, are LH – Burke, Quijada, McDaniels.
Crouse was sent down, Suarez is still hanging on. Time to rethink you armchair GM strategy. I am not knocking you, we all do the same thing.
@redstitch. Yeah that looks about right until you listed saurez. I think crouse will take his spot or atleast I’m hoping.
I think Crouse has looked a little shaky this spring. If he starts at AAA, I think he’ll likely be a quick call up.
Hopefully this isn’t a case of Rendon becoming contagious.
@monkey’s. He was sick,and has a minor injury. He’s not going to have time to have full reps. So he will probably be in the minors rehabbing for a week or two.
Rengifo will of course start on IL I think, so he will bump someone to AAA or DFA when he returns. Suarez is a placeholder and garbagetime innings eater until someone in the minors deserves a call up.
Rengifo missing two weeks won’t impact much. We just need him healthy and raking at the deadline.
Another thing to think about is if the Halos carry 13 pitchers. If so add Crouse and subtract an infielder.
Crouse was send down today. Does that mean Detmers will make it as a reliever? Or does Suarez make the team AGAIN??? Does this guy have naked photos of Arte’s wife or what?
Just going off Angels history he will probably never fully recover until he is wearing another uniform and then all of the sudden be incredibly durable and productive. They should have dealt him last summer in the middle of his hot stretch before he tweaked his wrist.
Cant wait to hear they finally let go of Jose Suarez. LOL probably keep him
Halos should sign free agent David Robertson. They could use one more reliable right handed bullpen piece. Currently it’s too heavy in southpaws. Robertson made $11.5 mil last season but opted out of his $7 mil option with Texas. Halos are $13 mil under last year’s payroll which was $216 mil. They can save $1.1 mil by Dfa-ing Suarez who isn’t worth $1.10. So it conceivable they could afford an offer to Robertson in the $11-$13 mil range. It would probably take a two year deal or one with an option. With Rendon’s salary coming off the books, they could offer some deferred to 2026 money although the Angels aren’t very creative when it comes to contracts.