LA Angels Receive Good Bad Injury News

The LA Angels season has largely been shaped by the injuries to their starting rotation. However, Halo fans should be encouraged by one’s progress, while being discouraged with another.

The LA Angels rotation is not what it should have been this season. Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker, and Tyler Skaggs have all missed significant time. This goes on top of Nick Tropeano and Andrew Heaney (who could very well return this year) undergoing Tommy John Surgery last year.

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Today, the Angels received extremely encouraging news. Garrett Richards threw twenty pitches, all fastballs, from a mound today for the first time in his rehab process. Afterwards, he made a promise to the Halo faithful.

“I don’t have a doubt that I will pitch for this team this year,” Richards said. “I will get in a regular-season game at some point this year. I’m confident in that. Whenever that is, I don’t know,” Richards stated. This is very good news to Angels fans who have been without their ace for much of the last three seasons.

Richards has yet to make a rehab start, or even thrown breaking balls, but this news is just another step towards his eventual return. Richards is confident, and Halo fans should be too.

However, Friday was not all great news for the Halos in terms of starting pitchers injuries. Matt Shoemaker, who has been on the disabled list with radial nerve compression in his forearm. After throwing a bullpen session on Friday, Shoemaker felt discomfort and talked to team doctors.

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The Angels released a statement stating that they will have a conversation with Shoemaker and determine the next step in his rehab. Unfortunately, surgery to repair the damage is now an option. Updates have generally been positive in regards to Shoemaker’s comeback. However, things may have taken a turn for the worse.

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While these updates do not necessarily guarantee anything for either pitcher, they are big turning points. However, Richards could still suffer a setback and be shut down for the season, especially if the Angels are not contending. Meanwhile, Shoemaker could avoid surgery and still pitch in active games this year.