Rodriguez sharp in Triple-A rehab start, could rejoin Angels before break

ANAHEIM -- Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez turned in a strong showing in his rehab outing with Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, which means he could rejoin the Angels’ rotation before the All-Star break.

Rodriguez, who has been out since June 14 with low back tightness, went 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks. It was his second rehab appearance, as he also allowed one run over four innings with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday.

And it came on the same night that rookie lefty Sam Aldegheri scuffled through four innings in an 8-1 loss to the Red Sox, so Rodriguez could logically take Aldegheri’s spot in the rotation. But the Angels didn’t make an announcement on Aldegheri after the game, outside of manager Kurt Suzuki saying the southpaw needs to work on his command after issuing four walks.

“That's a tough one,” Suzuki said. “Free passes are definitely tough, especially against a team with good hitters. Something to work on, something to learn from. Every start he's learning something and he's working to improve.”

Rodriguez also got up to 78 pitches on Saturday, so he’s stretched out enough to return to the rotation if the Angels believe he’s ready. The 26-year-old has posted an 8.06 ERA with 24 strikeouts, 15 walks and four homers allowed in 25 2/3 innings over six big league starts this season.

Rodriguez, acquired in an offseason trade that sent outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore, opened the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation before making his Angels debut on May 17.

Rodriguez could replace Aldegheri in the rotation, as he struggled early before settling in a bit against Boston. He had a rough opening frame against the Red Sox, allowing a three-run homer to Willson Contreras after issuing a pair of walks.

Aldegheri gave up just one hit over four innings but needed 88 pitches to record 12 outs, which taxed the bullpen after lefty Reid Detmers also lasted just five frames in the series opener on Friday. The 24-year-old has posted a 5.08 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 17 walks in 33 2/3 innings this year.

“I've noticed that every time I'm struggling in the first, so maybe I just need to make some adjustments in the routine,” Aldegheri said. “My control wasn't really there. I was trying to pitch on the border too much, and tried to be perfect and not attack the zone. The second inning was a long one, too, but in third and the fourth I was just trying to attack the zone and trust my stuff, and it was better.”