LA Angels Nick Tropeano finally back where he belongs

When LA Angels pitcher Nick Tropeano went down with a torn UCL in the middle of the 2016 season he was just starting to get comfortable in the majors.

Tropeano had made 13 starts for the LA Angels in 2016 going 3-2 with a 3.56 ERA and was showing a lot of promise.  Tropeano began the long road back rehabbing his right elbow after having Tommy John surgery in August of 2016.

When 2018 began Tropeano was back with the Angels and looked really good over his first eight starts posting a 3-3 record with a 3.80 ERA, turning in four quality starts and pitching well in six of his eight outings.  Tropeano had a few tough outings in June and was demoted to the minors until the last week of July.

When Tropeano returned he had three more solid outings, but after his last outing on August 6th,where he held the Tigers to only one hit and one run in five innings, Tropeano had to come out of the game early due to right shoulder pain.  That injury was diagnosed as right shoulder inflammation and Tropeano would not pitch again the rest of the season.

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Tropeano has made it back from that injury being sent to Triple-A Salt Lake at the end of April to strengthen his arm and see how he would do against live hitters. His numbers were not stellar going 1-1 with a 7.66 ERA in five starts for Salt Lake, but with Matt Harvey going on the disabled list Saturday, the Angels were in need of an extra starter and Tropeano fit the bill.

Tropeano was recalled to the Angels and will step on a big league mound tonight in Oakland for the first time since last August.  For Tropeano it is a chance to again show what he can do and possibly win a spot back, even if only temporarily, in the Angels rotation.

The Angels will employ their opener strategy which has worked well for Felix Pena, with Tropeano this evening in hopes of setting him up to work at least into the seventh inning.

Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register talks about Nick Tropeano’s return in his Monday tweet.

How will Tropeano do is anyone’s guess. If you have read this article you can tell that he has had some very effective moments for the Angels, but then on the flip side he has also had some not so good games. Which Tropeano can we expect tonight?  Most likely one that will be a bit anxious, but also happy to have the opportunity to step on a big league mound again.

I have seen some of Tropeano’s best starts in his four-year career with the Angels and I believe there is some untapped potential there that when healthy could lead to him becoming a quality back-end f the rotation starter for the Angels.

Tune in tonight to Fox Sports West at 7:05 pm and see how Tropeano fairs.  Hopefully it will be a step in the right direction.