Angels News: David Fletcher nearing return from injured list

The Los Angeles Angels have been without David Fletcher since August 30th, but the infielder could be returning soon.

Wednesday night was another in a long-string of disappointing losses for the Los Angeles Angels. However, some good news may have come out of Texas despite what the scoreboard said at the end of the game.

Since August 30th, the Angels have been without team sparkplug David Fletcher due to a left ankle sprain. The team placed him on the injured list on September 3rd, retroactive to August 31st, technically making him eligible to return any day now.

In speaking with the media (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic) following the loss to the Rangers, manager Joe Maddon acknowledged that Fletcher could be nearing a return soon. He’s allowing Fletcher to see how the ankle feels in the coming days, but he is close to being activated by the team.

Fletcher was on the field with the Angels prior to the game, and took batting practice with the team. However, Maddon is being cautiously optimistic at this point. Remember, the Angels also felt similarly with Andrelton Simmons’ recovery from his own sprain, noting that he could be activated during the Dodgers series. However, Simmons wasn’t activated until five days later in Oakland.

Needless to say, Fletcher’s return will be a boost to the Angels offense and defense. The return of Simmons to short and the trade of Tommy La Stella meant that Fletcher was finally going to find a permanent home in the field at second base.

Since Fletcher went down, the Angels have used several different players at second base, including Luis Rengifo, Franklin Barreto, and Matt Thaiss. However, production has been an issue as the trio has gone a combined 4-for-45 (.088) in his stead. That’s a far cry from the .313/.377/.438 batting line that Fletcher has put up over his 144 at-bats this season, albeit split between second, third, and shortstop.

The Angels wrap up their series in Texas on Thursday, before continuing their road trip with a three-game set in Colorado over the weekend.