LA Angels Notes: Wilfredo Tovar clears waivers sent to Salt Lake, Ramirez, Middleton updates

The LA Angels have gotten a lot of key players back to their major league roster over the last week.  The Angels have had to make some roster moves to make room.

Recently the LA Angels reinstated shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Trevor Cahill to the major league roster after stints on the injured list.  To make room for these roster additions utilityman Wilfredo Tovar was sent packing.

The Angels designated Tovar for assignment to open up a roster spot.  Tovar was then put through waivers.  No team claimed Tovar so the Angels were able to outright him today to Salt Lake City to the Triple-A Bees where he started the season.

Although Tovar’s numbers were not spectacular in Anaheim, he played multiple positions for the Angels while in the majors. Tovar filled in at second and third base, and shortstop during the time when Simmons was on the IL. On Monday night he showed his hustle scoring from second base on a sacrifice fly to give the Angels a key insurance run.

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Tovar hit .195 in 16 games with the Angels with three RBIs, but his defense was superb and his speed was very good as well. You will probably see him again before the year is over.

On the rehab front, J.C. Ramirez who has been on a rehab assignment the past month mostly in Triple-A Salt Lake has accepted an extension to his rehab assignment which can last as long as 30 more days.

Ramirez has struggled with command and still needs some work before he will be ready to join the major league roster. So far in five rehab starts Ramirez has thrown 17 inning and given up 17 runs for an ERA of 9.00. He has 10 walks and only eight strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.88.

Hopefully in the next 30 days Ramirez will find himself.  Keynan Middleton is also getting close to returning as he has thrown to hitters for the first time Friday in Arizona. According to the Angels manager Brad Ausmus he is still about three weeks away from returning.  Middleton, barring any setbacks, will most likely be sent out on a rehab assignment next week sometime and possibly will be in Single-A Inland Empire.

The news on Matt Harvey and Zack Cozart is not so good as both are not close to returning at this moment.  Cozart’s shoulder and Harvey’s back do not want to cooperate which is holding up their progress. Halo Hangout will keep you up to date as information becomes available.