LA Angels: Struggling starting pitcher takes another hit, out for season

Griffin Canning was having a tough year for the LA Angels this year.

He was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake on July 3rd, following the last straw of a disappointing 14 outings for Canning. He went 2.2 innings and gave up six earned runs on July 2nd. On the year, Canning posted a 5.60 ERA and a 1.484 WHIP.

Both of those were career-worst numbers, and he ended up getting hurt in Triple-A. He had what was originally called a lower back strain, and it’s now being called a lower back fracture. He will be out for the rest of the year.

I’m wishing Canning and his family the best as they navigate through this tough situation.

The hits keep on coming for former reliable LA Angels starter Griffin Canning.

2020 was Griffin Canning’s best year for the LA Angels.

Canning started 11 games, and posted a 3.99 ERA. He actually even won a Gold Glove award that year, which is always an overlooked plus for a starting pitcher.

Canning had eight “quality” or better starts this year, but he also had four where he threw under three innings, and another where he pitched for 3.1 innings. His inconsistency was killer.

In Triple-A, he had one start where he gave up six earned runs in two innings. He walked five, and it was awful.

Canning’s future with the Angels was already very much in question with the abilities shown by young and up-and-coming Angels starters such as Patrick Sandoval, Chris Rodriguez, and Jaime Barria.

They all have shown me that they can all have bright futures in this league. I might even add Jose Suarez to that list. Canning was already trending downwards, and this injury may have been the nail in the coffin for his hopes of starting for the Halos.