March 22, 2017
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March 22, 2017 Page 1 of 16 Clips (March 22, 2017) March 22, 2017 Page 2 of 16 Today’s Clips Contents FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3) Angels' Huston Street in no rush to return from injury this time around Angels defeat Reds, 9-1, in spring training FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5) Angels' J.C. Ramirez continues to impress in race for starting rotation Angels explode late to beat Reds These men took a manly trip to spring training, complete with spa pampering Angels Notes: Mike Scioscia impressed with Tyler Skaggs’ outing Angels increase staffing, alter workouts in ‘proactive’ effort to reduce injuries FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 12) Ramirez making big push for starting rotation Angels rally, take advantage of Reds' miscues Street on track to resume throwing next week FROM SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL (Page 16) StubHub Now Has Direct Integration With 29 Of 30 MLB Clubs After Signing New Angels Deal March 22, 2017 Page 3 of 16 FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES . Angels' Huston Street in no rush to return from injury this time around By Pedro Moura Angels reliever Huston Street visited team physician Steve Yoon in Los Angeles on Monday for an update on his strained back muscle. An ultrasound showed a small defect in the latissimus dorsi, Street said. He said he was told it’s consistent with the original timeline of healing, diagnosed via the initial MRI exam taken after his March 3 spring debut. At the time, the Angels announced Street would not throw for three or four weeks. Street will visit Yoon when the Angels break camp at the end of the month, hoping to gain clearance to begin a throwing program. The 33-year-old right-hander rushed back from an oblique strain last season trying to help out a struggling bullpen, and his performance suffered. A potential free agent at this season’s end, Street re-committed to strength training over the off-season and lost 15 pounds, earning raves from Manager Mike Scioscia and club officials, including owner Arte Moreno. But he was injured two batters into spring training. Now, he says he is determined to not return before he is fully prepared for the season. “This is not going to be one of those where I’m going out there rolling the dice,” Street said. “I’m gonna make sure that when I come back I have the best chance of performing well. There really isn’t a way to rush this one. You have to build up innings. You have to have that spring training.” Street was expected to compete with upstart Cam Bedrosian and veteran Andrew Bailey for the club’s closer role in spring training. Without him, the Angels bullpen is noticeably devoid of relievers with extensive track records. Scioscia has often opened seasons with set seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-inning relievers, forming a depth chart of sorts. It’s unclear how that will work to begin the season. Still, Street said he was determined to recreate a version of the spring he missed. It could last only three or four innings, he said, but it needs to have some substance. “I’m gonna come back healthy, and ready to pitch exactly how they need me, full-speed,” Street said. “That’s what I’m going to do.” Ramirez for starters? The Angels announced in November that they’d try reliever J.C. Ramirez as a starter during spring training. If it did not work out, General Manager Billy Eppler said Ramirez wouldgo back to the bullpen. March 22, 2017 Page 4 of 16 The right-hander was always likely to make the team, because he’s out of options and cannot be sent to the minors without first being exposed to waivers. With opening day less than two weeks away, Ramirez is still starting — to even his own surprise. “Personally, I thought they’d give me two outings and then have me go back to the bullpen,” he said after his start Tuesday. Wielding a curveball he brought back into his repertoire for his new purpose, the 28-year-old pitched five innings and gave up one run against Cincinnati, the team that ceded him on waivers to the Angels last summer. He had not thrown five or more innings in a game since September 2011. He has increased his stamina from five outs to 15 this spring. Scioscia said he was impressed with how Ramirez held his velocity during Tuesday’s game. Ramirez remains unlikely to open the season in the rotation, as both Jesse Chavez and Alex Meyer are more established candidates, and left-hander Tyler Skaggs appears healthy. But he seems certain to make the roster. “Whatever they decide, to make me a reliever or starter, would be OK for me,” Ramirez said. Short hops Right-hander Vicente Campos has not pitched in a game since March 5 because of a nerve issue in his forearm. He is now playing catch. The Angels claimed him off waivers from Arizona in November. … Meyer and fellow right-hander Yusmeiro Petit will start the two major league games Wednesday; Chavez will pitch in a minor league game. … Designated hitter Albert Pujols was not in camp Tuesday morning because of a charity commitment in St. Louis on Monday, Scioscia said. He is expected to return Wednesday. Angels defeat Reds, 9-1, in spring training By Pedro Moura The Angels defeated Cincinnati, 9-1, on Tuesday at Goodyear Ballpark. The Angels are 13-10 in Cactus League play. AT THE PLATE: The Angels scored their first five runs in the seventh inning. With two outs and the bases empty, Danny Espinosa singled, Jefry Marte walked, and Ben Revere reached on an error. Catcher Tony Sanchez then walked, Nolan Fontana doubled, and Kole Calhoun singled. … Until that inning, the Angels had produced only one hit, a second-inning single by Revere. Reds left-handed pitching prospect Cody Reed struck out five in 5 2/3 scoreless innings. … In the eighth, Eric Young Jr. singled, Marte doubled, Sanchez singled, and minor league infielder Matt Williams singled, resulting in three more runs. … In the ninth, Young Jr. hit a solo shot. March 22, 2017 Page 5 of 16 ON THE MOUND: In relief of starter J.C. Ramirez, right-handers Jose Valdez and Justin Miller and left- hander Cody Ege all pitched scoreless innings. All three appear likely to finish on the outside of the opening-day roster mix, although Ege has yet to give up a run in 8 1/3 spring innings. EXTRA BASES: Third baseman Yunel Escobar was again scratched from the Angels’ starting lineup because of an abdominal strain. He has not played since Friday, but Manager Mike Scioscia said the injury was not major. … Shortstop Nolan Fontana fumbled a grounder in the second inning. … In a concurrent minor league game back at Tempe Diablo Stadium, right-hander Garrett Richards gave up four hits and an earned run over five innings, striking out one against the triple-A Milwaukee Brewers. He threw 71 pitches. UP NEXT: Angels vs. the Texas Rangers at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. TV: FS West; Radio: 830. Also, Angels vs. the Seattle Mariners at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Peoria Sports Complex. No TV or radio. FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER . Angels' J.C. Ramirez continues to impress in race for starting rotation By JEFF FLETCHER GOODYEAR, Ariz. – When the Angels said they were going to give J.C. Ramirez a chance to start this spring, it seemed like a token gesture. Even to Ramirez. “I personally thought they’d give me two outings and then say ‘OK, go back to the bullpen,’ ” Ramirez said. But there he was on Tuesday, completing five innings in a major league exhibition game less than two weeks before opening day. Ramirez gave up just one run on four hits, striking out six and walking none. “Everything was working,” he said. “My sinker was down. My curveball was good. My slider was good. I’m trying to keep myself in the fight for the spot.” Manager Mike Scioscia confirmed afterward that Ramirez still has a chance start once the season begins. He wouldn’t say exactly who else is in the running, though. “You can see which guys are there and are throwing the ball well,” he said. Alex Meyer, who is expected to get five innings in a start on Wednesday, seems to be the only other candidate outside of the original top five: Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker, Tyler Skaggs, Ricky Nolasco and Jesse Chavez. Ramirez, who has allowed nine earned runs in 16-2/3 innings this spring, was at his best on Tuesday. March 22, 2017 Page 6 of 16 “I thought it was very impressive,” Scioscia said. “What was impressive was not only the stuff, the explosive fastball, the breaking ball and slider, but what we saw up to a higher pitch count. He’s getting to 70 pitches and maintaining his stuff.” Ramirez, 27, was pitching against a Cincinnati Reds team that placed him on waivers last year, allowing the Angels to claim him. He was a solid reliever for the Angels in the second half. Considering that he’s out of options, it was likely that Ramirez was going to be on the pitching staff in some capacity all along. Now, though, he’s given the Angels something to think about. “I’m enjoying it right now,” he said. “I have that starter adrenaline.” Ramirez has pitched 108 games in the majors with five teams, and they’ve all been in relief.