Heaney to return from IL Saturday vs. Sox
BOSTON -- Left-hander Andrew Heaney will be reinstated from the 10-day injured list to start on Saturday against the Red Sox, Angels manager Brad Ausmus said on Thursday. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. PT at Fenway Park, with Rick Porcello set to take the mound for Boston. The game is available to watch live on MLB.TV.
Heaney, on the IL retroactive to July 16 with left shoulder inflammation, allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings against the Astros in his last start. He threw a 64-pitch simulated game in Cincinnati on Monday and is expected to be limited to roughly 80 pitches in Saturday's outing. The Angels wanted to make sure he came out of that outing feeling fine, and he was cleared to rejoin the rotation after not having any issues with his shoulder.
“He’s doing good,” Ausmus said. “He’s pitching on Saturday.”
The Angels have four healthy starters, so Heaney isn’t replacing anyone in the rotation. Right-hander Griffin Canning (right elbow inflammation) remains sidelined but is nearing a bullpen session. Right-hander Matt Harvey was released, while right-hander Felix Pena is awaiting season-ending surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee.
The Angels are hopeful that Heaney can help stabilize the rotation a bit down the stretch, but he's struggled to stay healthy this year. Heaney, 28, has posted a 5.09 ERA in nine starts, with 54 strikeouts, 19 walks and nine homers allowed in 46 innings. He missed the first two months of the season with left elbow inflammation before returning in late May.
Ramirez, Middleton nearing rehab assignments
Relievers Noe Ramirez (viral infection) and Keynan Middleton (Tommy John surgery) are both nearing rehab assignments, Ausmus said.
Ramirez, who has been out since July 21, experienced a slight setback last weekend, but he threw a bullpen session without any issues earlier this week. He could begin a rehab assignment as early as this weekend.
Middleton, meanwhile, has been dealing with a setback related to his Tommy John surgery, as he was pulled off his rehab assignment on July 19 after suffering from a nerve issue in his elbow. But that issue has subsided and Middleton has also been throwing bullpen sessions without any problems.
Ausmus said he’ll know more about the specifics of their rehab assignments on Friday, which will give him a better feel for when they’ll both return.
Angels reclaim Mejia, DFA Briceno
The Angels claimed left-hander Adalberto Mejia from the Cardinals, just 13 days after they designated Mejia for assignment on July 26. To make room for Mejia, they released catcher Jose Briceno from the roster.
Mejia, 26, made two relief appearances with the Cardinals, allowing three runs in three innings before being DFA’d on Tuesday. He made four appearances with the Angels, allowing one run over 4 1/3 frames. The Halos first claimed Mejia on July 20 after he was DFA'd by the Twins.
Mejia is expected to join the Angels’ bullpen on Friday, as he’s out of Minor League options and must be added to the 25-man roster. The Halos are likely to send down an optionable player such as reliever Taylor Cole or infielder/pitcher Jared Walsh to make room for Mejia.
Briceno, meanwhile, has been out since mid-May with a right shoulder strain that is expected to keep him out of action for the rest of the season. He’s trying to avoid surgery, but the Angels felt it made sense to move on, considering they already have catchers Max Stassi, Kevan Smith and Anthony Bemboom on their 40-man roster.