Cahill lands on IL with right elbow soreness
ANAHEIM -- Right-handers Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill, who were signed by the Angels to one-year deals in the offseason, have struggled this year, and Cahill joined Harvey on the 10-day injured list on Sunday, a day after Harvey had a rough showing in a rehab outing.
In a move that was announced by manager Brad Ausmus on Saturday, but became official Sunday, Cahill was placed on the IL with right elbow soreness, retroactive to Tuesday. Lefty Jose Suarez was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to start against the Mariners. Additionally, right-hander Nick Tropeano was called up from Triple-A as a long reliever, with lefty Dillon Peters optioned to Salt Lake.
Cahill said he’s hopeful that he’ll only miss one start. He felt the injury get worse as his outing went on against the Cubs on Monday, when he pitched well early, but was charged with five runs over 4 1/3 innings in a loss.
“It’s just one of those things where each inning getting down and back up, it starts tightening up,” Chill said. “So just trying to cool it down. Hopefully, just miss the one and I’m good to go.”
Harvey, on the 10-day injured list since May 25 with an upper back strain, made his first rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, and he was hit hard, allowing eight runs on eight hits over 2 2/3 innings. Ausmus said he is going to reserve judgment on the outing until he talks to Harvey about how it went. He also didn’t know what’s next for Harvey, whose fastball was mostly in the 90 mph range.
“I'm not overly concerned about the results,” Ausmus said. “I'm more wanting to talk to Harvey, see how he felt. It's tough to look at a line score and determine exactly what went on."
It’s been a rough year for both Harvey, signed to a one-year deal worth $11 million, and Cahill, inked to a one-year pact worth $9 million. Harvey, 30, has a 7.50 ERA in 48 innings, while Cahill, 31, has posted a 7.18 ERA in 57 2/3 innings. Among pitchers with at least 40 innings pitched, Harvey's ERA is the third-worst mark in the Majors, while Cahill's is the fifth-worst.
Cahill, though, said he thinks his stuff has been getting better recently, pointing to his improved changeup, and he believes he can turn it around.
“Things aren’t going great,” Cahill said. “It sucks, because I feel like I was getting close. I was pitching good and then that one inning [in Chicago]. I feel like I’ve been getting better, but the results haven’t been a lot better. But as far as my stuff on the mound, I feel like it’s getting better. So it’s bad timing. But I’m hoping with extra rest I’ll come back even stronger.”
Ausmus unsure on Home Run Derby for Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani has been hot at the plate recently and possesses incredible power, especially during batting practice, so Ausmus was asked by the Japanese media if he would be OK with Ohtani participating in next month’s Home Run Derby. Ausmus initially said he would be fine with whatever Ohtani decides, but then noted it likely would have to be cleared by the medical staff because Ohtani is coming off Tommy John surgery in October.
“I guess the Home Run Derby is a little bit more high-end than batting practice because you’re taking full swings for an extended period of time,” Ausmus said. “So I can’t really give you an answer [if he’d be cleared].”
Fletcher out with left shoulder soreness
Infielder David Fletcher is dealing with left shoulder soreness and was held out of the lineup for a second straight day on Sunday. Ausmus, though, said he doesn’t believe the injury will require a stint on the injured list.
“Yesterday was a scheduled off-day, but we're going to give him a second day,” Ausmus said Sunday. “He feels a lot better today than he did yesterday."
Fletcher, 25, has surprisingly played at an All-Star level this year, hitting .308/.363/.434 with four homers and 23 RBIs in 62 games while playing plus defense at second base, shortstop and third base.