LA Angels Spring Training News and Notes 2/14: Matt Harvey Injury, A Two-Way Player, and More

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 07: Pitcher JC Ramirez #66 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 07: Pitcher JC Ramirez #66 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches during the first inning of the MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

The LA Angels Spring Training is underway, with pitchers and catchers are getting into their routine in Tempe. What had been an overall slow Spring Training thus far picked up some steam on Thursday, with the team’s first injury, and hype building over a special young player.

Matt Harvey‘s Pain in the Butt

Arguably the LA Angels biggest signing of the offseason, Matt Harvey suffered a glute strain while doing agility drills on Wednesday. He, along with manager Brad Ausmus, confirmed it would not put his availability come Opening Day in jeopardy, as Harvey is only expected to be sidelined for 10 days.

Even if Harvey takes more time than expected to get back on track, he still has an overwhelming amount of time until the start of the season. Odds are he will be healthy enough to make one or two starts in Spring Training.

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It is also worth noting his absence from workouts is precautionary, as Harvey claimed if it were the regular season, he would take anti-inflammatories and be able to pitch if called upon.

A Non-Shohei Two Way

After a season watching Shohei Ohtani come to the United States and promptly dominate competition as a two-way player, there is a revolution across the MLB as teams look for the next Ohtani. The Angels might have stumbled upon one themselves.

Jared Walsh was a 39th round pick out of the University of Georgia for the Angels. During his collegiate career, Walsh was featured as a pitcher and as an outfielder/first baseman. Upon being drafted he become strictly a position player, except for the rare mop-up role as a relief pitcher in the minors last year.

However, in those eight appearances last season, Walsh posted a 1.59 ERA in 8.2 innings. He impressed Angels’ brass enough to be sent to an instructional league over the offseason to work on a potential role as a left-handed reliever. This Spring Training, Walsh will focus solely on pitching in hopes of contributing in Anaheim at some point in 2019.

It is worth noting Walsh would be used differently as Ohtani, strictly as a relief pitcher. He would go straight from the field to the mound in a possible scenario. In this situation, the Angels would also forego their ability to use a designated hitter for the rest of the game.

Although he hasn’t yet, Walsh told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register he plans to discuss a two-way role with Shohei Ohtani at some point.

Next. How Many Positions Could Shohei Ohtani be an All Star?

More News and Notes from Day Three of Spring Training: