Angels' rotation up in air for A's series

OAKLAND -- The Angels’ pitching plans remained indefinite as Tuesday night’s rematch with the A’s approached.

An Angels spokesman sent word after Monday’s 8-5 loss to Oakland that the club will select the contract of 28-year-old right-hander Nick Tropeano from its Triple-A Salt Lake City affiliate. Though Tropeano started in 34 of 35 appearances he made for the Angels in 2015-16 and '18, the team declined to name him as Tuesday’s starter.

In fact, the Angels declined to name anyone as Tuesday’s starter, indicating that they’ll use an “opener” who will pitch one or two innings before a number of pitchers handle the remaining innings.

Tropeano could still play an integral role in the game. His most successful season as an Angel was last year, when he finished 5-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 14 starts. In five starts this season with Salt Lake, he went 1-1 with 7.66 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.

The Angels’ tinkering with the pitching staff began when Felix Peña, Monday’s scheduled starter, appeared in relief during Sunday’s wild, 7-6 victory over Texas. That led Ausmus to press Trevor Cahill into service for Monday’s series opener against the A’s, and created a need for a starter on Tuesday.

News and notes

• Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was scratched from Monday's starting lineup with a stomach virus. Dustin Garneau replaced him, and went 0-for-1 while being hit by a pitch twice.