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Los Angeles Angels rehab recap and other notes.

By David Rice

Los Angeles Angels starter Hector Santiago has been struggling recently. Can he right his ship? Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels starter Hector Santiago has been struggling recently. Can he right his ship? Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Angels have had so many injuries this season & right now they are finally getting players healthy. Andrelton Simmons is close to returning from a thumb injury & Tim Lincecum is close to making his Angels debut.

The Los Angeles Angels probably lead the league in one category for sure: Roster Moves. It seems like every other day when you look at the transaction wire there are one to two moves coming out of Anaheim.  This is mostly due to the rash of injuries the Angels have had and some moves have been necessitated by poor or inconsistent play.

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Let’s start out with the good news.  First of all Shortstop Andrelton Simmons is close to returning to Anaheim as he has played four games in the minors rehabbing his injured left thumb.  In two games for the Inland Empire 66’ers, the Angels Single-A affiliate, Simmons went 2 for 6 with a double and two runs scored.  On Thursday for Triple-A Salt Lake City, Simmons went 3 for 5 with a double and five RBI’s. He then went 2 for 5 last night.

Simmons is scheduled to play again for Salt Lake City tonight in Fresno.  After the game Simmons could be headed for Anaheim to join the Angels, or he could stay in Fresno one more day and play for the Bees.  No one has said enough either way as of right now, we will keep you updated.

Tim Lincecum made his second rehab start this week for Triple-A Salt Lake City making 95 pitches, 59 of which were strikes.  Lincecum gave up four runs two which were earned while walking two and striking out six.  Despite reaching 95 pitches and improved control numbers, the Angels want Lincecum to make one more rehab start on Sunday in Fresno for the Bees before making his Angels debut in Oakland most likely on June 17th or 18th.

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A recent activation happened as well as Cory Rasmus was activated from the disabled list on Thursday as left-handed reliever Greg Mahle was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake a day after allowing two home runs in just 0.2 innings pitched giving up four runs, two of which were earned in the 12-6 loss to the New York Yankees.

Mahle has seen his ERA steadily rise since a stellar April when he had a sparkling 1.29 ERA allowing only one run in seven innings.  In May Mahle’s ERA ballooned to 6.23 for the month and in June he had a 13.50 ERA.  The difference was an opponent batting average of .367 since May 1st and four home runs allowed compared to zero in April.

Mahle’s left-handed partner in crime Jose Alvarez has not fared any better recently and he might find himself in the same position as Alvarez has seen his ERA balloon from a somewhat respectable 4.15 at the end of May to it’s current 5.14 mark.  His June ERA is 18.00 as Alvarez also got rocked against the Yankees giving up four runs in two innings in two outings against the Bronx Bombers.

Another pitcher that is really struggling is Hector Santiago as he has seen his ERA go from 3.42 in mid-May. to its current 5.64 ERA. Santiago has only won one time since May 15th and has lasted past the 4th inning only once.  His start last night was the worst as Santiago only lasted 1.1 giving up seven hits and six runs.  If Santiago doesn’t get it together soon he may find himself in Triple-A or possibly in the bullpen.

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Other recent roster moves:

The Los Angeles Angels acquired reliever Jose Valdez from the Tigers for cash and sending him to Triple-A Salt Lake.  The Angels recalled Mike Morin from Triple-A to replace reliever Joe Smith who went on the DL due to a left hamstring strain.

Pitchers Javy Guerra and Chris Jones were both designated for assignment and after clearing waivers both were sent outright to Triple-A Salt Lake City.

As long as the bullpen continues to be inconsistent the roster moves will continue to happen.  Hopefully the Angels will find a mix that clicks because they continue to fall down in the standings.

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