What Angels' Opening Day roster says about the club

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

HOUSTON -- The Angels announced their official 26-man roster just hours before first pitch against the Astros on Opening Day, and it contained a few surprises with the club making a couple last-minute decisions during the Freeway Series.

The first lineup also had superstar Mike Trout batting second and returning to center field after he moved to right field last year. Oswald Peraza also got the nod over Adam Frazier at second base after earning the role with an impressive spring both offensively and defensively.

Here are five takeaways from the Opening Day roster and how the lineup, rotation and bullpen could look the rest of the way:

Johnson, Kochanowicz surprisingly earn rotation spots

Heading into Spring Training, right-handers Ryan Johnson and Jack Kochanowicz were both considered long shots to make the rotation. The Angels traded for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez and signed Alek Manoah to a one-year deal and both were expected to be part of the rotation, but with Rodriguez (right shoulder inflammation) and Manoah (right middle finger contusion) on the injured list to open the year, it opened up spots for both Johnson and Kochanowicz after they both excelled this spring.

Johnson, the club’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made the Opening Day roster for a second straight year after he made the bullpen last season despite previously not pitching in the Minors. He’s a strike-thrower with plenty of funk and deception, but he struggled against lefties last year. However, Johnson's changeup looks better this season and will be key for him to improve. Kochanowicz showed promise as a rookie in ’24, but went through a sophomore slump last year and believes he can get back on track with his power sinker and improved breaking stuff.

Trout is officially back in center

Trout, a three-time AL MVP and 11-time All-Star, indicated at the start of spring that it was his preference to return to center after his brief experiment in right last year. He showed he’s healthy this spring after dealing with a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee last year, even hitting 30 feet per second while running.

Manager Kurt Suzuki said Trout earned his role in center and it allows Josh Lowe and Jo Adell to play corner outfield. Suzuki also indicated that he plans to bat Trout in the No. 2 hole this year between leadoff hitter Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel. Suzuki said it’s just based on feel, but the lineup also allows Trout to get more plate appearances.

The bullpen roles are still yet to be determined

The Angels were dealt a few blows to their bullpen with right-hander Robert Stephenson (right elbow) suffering another setback and opening the year on the 60-day injured list, while Kirby Yates is also starting the season on the IL with left knee inflammation. Both were considered top options to close along with flamethrower Ben Joyce, who is making his way back from shoulder surgery, but the club hopes he could join the bullpen at some point in April.

With those three arms out of the equation for now, the Angels don’t have a set closer and are expected to use veterans Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz based on matchups. Suzuki also said Ryan Zeferjahn and Chase Silseth could get chances to close. The Angels are still trying to find a role for lefty Joey Lucchesi, who signed a one-year deal on Tuesday to join the bullpen after he was released by the Giants on Sunday.

Angels go with veterans and Teodosio’s defense on the bench

The Angels signed infielders Frazier and Jeimer Candelario to Minor League deals and they both made the club as bench pieces along with youngster Bryce Teodosio. Frazier will share time at second with Peraza while Candelario gives the Angels some corner infield depth and power from both sides of the plate as a pinch-hitter.

Teodosio was a bubble candidate to make the roster, but the Angels value his defense, especially given Trout’s injury concerns in recent years and Lowe coming off an oblique injury in spring. Teodosio isn’t expected to get many at-bats, at least early, but will come in for defensive reasons and to pinch-run.

Urena could be bullpen’s secret weapon

Walbert Urena, the club’s No. 19 prospect, was added to the 40-man roster this offseason and wowed with his electric stuff this spring. His fastball can reach triple digits and the righty has a plus-changeup while his breaking stuff looked better this spring.

The 22-year-old is expected to pitch in long relief to open the year, but also could join the rotation at some point this season and has the stuff to close if he remains in relief.