Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim news, rumors and injuriesAngels | Mike Trout trying to cut down K's Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:55:10 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Mike Trout wants to be more aggressive early in counts after striking out an American League-leading 184 times last season. "I'm looking to drive the ball a little bit," Trout said. "The biggest thing about cutting down on the strikeouts is getting a pitch early in the zone to drive. I'm going to work on that this spring. Throughout my whole career, I've been taking. I like to see pitches, but I'm going to get locked and loaded first pitch. If it's in the zone, I'm going to take a hack at it." Fantasy Tip: Trout demonstrated his willingness to be more aggressive in his first spring training at-bat, swinging at the first pitch he saw. The supremely talented outfielder is already the consensus top pick, and if he's able to cut down on punch outs, his production could be remarkable. Comment () | Share: Angels | Arbitrator to decide fate of Josh Hamilton Thu, 05 Mar 2015 09:29:32 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Josh Hamilton will have an arbitrator decide if he should enter rehab for drug use after a four-person disciplinary committee is deadlocked, according to a source. Hamilton met with MLB officials Feb. 25 regarding a relapse of substance abuse. He'll be owed only a full salary for 30 days and half his salary for the next 30 days if he's sent to rehab, and he's scheduled to make $25 million this year. If he's suspended and not in treatment, he won't be paid. MLB is deciding if they should classify Hamilton as a fourth-time offender of the drug policy. Violators face up to a full-season suspension for a fourth offense. Fantasy Tip: Don't forget that Hamilton is also dealing with a shoulder injury that could keep him out of action for at least the first month of the season. His fantasy stock was dropping already, and news of his relapse has him in a free fall. A suspension seems likely, and who knows if he'll even play this season if he enters a rehab facility. Right now, Hamilton is even a super risky selection late in mixed league drafts. Comment () | Share: Angels | Garrett Richards to throw another 'pen Wed, 04 Mar 2015 09:41:56 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Garrett Richards (knee) will throw his sixth bullpen session of the spring Wednesday, March 4, and manager Mike Scioscia said Richards will simulate coming off the mound to cover first base for the first time. Fantasy Tip: This is a big step for Richards, since it was him covering first base in Boston last year when he blew his knee out. From all reports this spring, Richards has looked great, but he still won't be ready for the start of the regular season, as the Halos are being cautious with him. Regardless, Richards was lights out last year before being injured, and he's a fine selection in the middle rounds of fantasy baseball drafts to solidify your starting rotation. Comment () | Share: Angels | Andrew Heaney has shot at LAA rotation Tue, 03 Mar 2015 12:23:25 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Andrew Heaney has a "legitimate shot" at cracking the starting rotation, according to manager Mike Scioscia. "We think he's ready for the challenge of the major leagues," Scioscia said. "(Making a team for the first time) is sometimes the toughest bridge for a player to cross." Fantasy Tip: Keep an eye on Heaney's progress. Heaney may be worth a flyer in late rounds of mixed leagues and deeper AL leagues if he makes the starting rotation. Comment () | Share: Angels | Garrett Richards won't be ready Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:27:59 -0800 Updating previous reports, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Garrett Richards (knee) is expected to be ready to debut two or three weeks into the 2015 season. Fantasy Tip: Richards is a solid SP3 candidate if he doesn't suffer any setbacks. Comment () | Share: Angels | Garrett Richards to throw Sunday Sun, 01 Mar 2015 09:03:24 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Garrett Richards (knee) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Sunday, March 1. Fantasy Tip: Richards probably will miss the first few weeks of the season but should be available for the majority of the season. Owners should monitor his situation during the spring to make sure he is on schedule. Richards could be an option in the middle rounds of mixed league drafts if he does not suffer any setbacks. Comment () | Share: Angels | Albert Pujols not worried about shift Fri, 27 Feb 2015 14:16:27 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B Albert Pujols said he's not worried about defensive shifts against him. In 2014, defenses shifted him to pull 224 times, which was the most of any other right-handed hitter in the league. "They think they're screwing with your mind, but actually it's worse because they're telling you how they're going to pitch to you," Pujols said. "So actually it's the opposite. It's helping a hitter to know how they're going to pitch to you." Pujols' ability to go the opposite way is increased now that his right quadriceps is stronger after he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in November of 2012. He had 34 hits to right field last year, his second highest total since 2008. Fantasy Tip: Pujols will come off the board after the elite first base options are gone. At age 35, Pujols is no longer a machine, and he carries an element of risk surrounding his health. However, the fact that he was able to play 159 games in 2014 is a good sign and should make you comfortable that he can still be serviceable as a starting fantasy first baseman. Comment () | Share: Angels | Word on Josh Hamilton may come next week Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:40:24 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Josh Hamilton isn't expected to have a suspension announced Friday, Feb. 27, so the team might have to wait until Monday, March 2, at the earliest. Hamilton met with MLB officials Wednesday, Feb. 25, regarding a drug-related relapse that he had in the offseason. Hamilton likely wouldn't be treated as a first-time offender if he violated the Joint Drug Agreement because he was on the Tampa Bay Rays' 40-man roster when he failed his first drug test in 2003. He could be facing a suspension from 25-50 games on a second positive test. Fantasy Tip: Hamilton's 2015 fantasy baseball value is quickly plummeting. Not only do you have to worry about a suspension, but he's not expected to be back for a few months because of offseason shoulder surgery. He may still be worth a late-round pick for outfield depth, but tread carefully. Comment () | Share: Angels | Josh Hamilton out at least 25 games Fri, 27 Feb 2015 06:51:18 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Josh Hamilton is likely to be suspended at least 25 games for breaching the league's drug policy. However, the league is unlikely to suspend him for a full season. Fantasy Tip: Hamilton's fantasy value continues to plummet due to decline, injury and now this. It's possible you could draft him in the lower third of your draft right now. He still has talent to justify a selection in the middle rounds as an OF4 type. Comment () | Share: Angels | Matt Joyce set to remove platoon label? Thu, 26 Feb 2015 14:41:39 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Matt Joyce will work extensively against left-handed pitching during spring training, according to hitting coach Don Baylor. Joyce is expected to receive ample at-bats against lefties in games but will also be scheduled for extra work in the cage and against the breaking-ball machine. "I don't want him looking over his shoulder every time a lefty comes in, thinking he's going to get pinch-hit for," Baylor said. "I'm trying to get him out of that mentality. He's on a new ballclub now." Fantasy Tip: There is an opening for everyday at-bats for Joyce with Josh Hamilton's status up in the air. Joyce has only 323 career at-bats against left-handed pitching, though, so monitoring his progress this spring is advised. From 2011 to 2013 Joyce averaged 18 home runs per season in a platoon role, so there is upside in mixed leagues, especially if Joyce responds well this spring and earns the starting left field job. Comment () | Share: Angels | Garrett Richards throws off mound Thu, 26 Feb 2015 12:20:22 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Garrett Richards (knee) threw 50 pitches, including offspeed pitches, from the stretch and windup Thursday, Feb. 26, which marked a big step for him. He will repeat the process Sunday, March 1. Fantasy Tip: Richards continues to be adamant that he'll be ready to go for opening day, but the Angels are likely to play it cautious with him to start the season. Richards appears to be making great progress this spring, though, so there's a chance he could make his debut in mid-April if he avoids a setback. Given the strides made before being injured last year, Richards seems like a fine late middle-rounds gamble. Comment () | Share: Angels | Retirement an option for Josh Hamilton? Thu, 26 Feb 2015 11:38:16 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Josh Hamilton may need to retire from baseball. Roy Silver, one of Hamilton's closest friends and mentor in Hamilton's struggles with addiction, said the best thing for Hamilton is to retire from the sport. Silver last spoke with Hamilton in December, and his friend feared that something wasn't right and that Hamilton may have suffered a relapse. Fantasy Tip: Hamilton's addiction problems have come to the forefront again while he's dealing with a shoulder injury that could keep him out a few months into the 2015 season. His fantasy value has taken a steep tumble because of it all, making him a very risky selection even at the end of mixed league drafts now. Comment () | Share: Angels | Josh Hamilton had relapse Thu, 26 Feb 2015 09:20:08 -0800 Updating previous reports, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Josh Hamilton suffered a cocaine and alcohol relapse, and he met with MLB officials Wednesday, Feb. 25, about a disciplinary issue, according to a source. Hamilton told the league about his relapse, and Hamilton's father-in-law said Hamilton "hit a bump in the road, keep him in your prayers." Hamilton is facing a possible suspension. He had surgery earlier this month and wasn't slated to return until May. According to the agreement he made during his minor league suspension from 2003 to 2005, his drug violations can be taken into account in any discipline he might receive from the league. Fantasy Tip: On top of his shoulder injury, a looming suspension doesn't bode well at all for Hamilton's fantasy value. There's a chance he may not even play at all in 2015. That'll likely drop him to a late-round pick, at best, in standard leagues. Matt Joyce's value should see a nice bump as a result. Comment () | Share: Angels | Garrett Richards to throw Thursday Thu, 26 Feb 2015 07:59:29 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SP Garrett Richards (knee) will throw 50 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday, Feb. 26. He has been throwing breaking balls on flat ground but not off a mound yet. Fantasy Tip: Richards broke out in a serious way last season and is worth consideration for your SP3 spot if he begins the season on time. Comment () | Share: Angels | Josh Hamilton facing suspension Wed, 25 Feb 2015 18:13:47 -0800 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim OF Josh Hamilton suffered a relapse involving at least cocaine a couple of months back. Hamilton has confessed to the relapse. Fantasy Tip: Hamilton is facing a suspension, although the length and penalty is still to be determined. He has had a problem with drugs in the past, but he has never officially been suspended by Major League Baseball. Hamilton would be put into the league's substance abuse program as a first-time offender. The most important thing is Hamilton's health and well being. On a lesser note, his fantasy appeal will take a big hit if he is suspended for any length of time. Rumors are that he might be facing a penalty similar to usage of PEDs. Comment () | Share:  |
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