TEMPE, Ariz. -- The potential Opening Day roster for the Angels is starting to come a bit more into focus, although there are currently competitions for the final spot in the rotation, a few bench roles and a couple spots in the bullpen.
The Angels have been mostly healthy this spring, although Anthony Rendon underwent hip surgery and will miss most, if not all of the season, and Zach Neto will open the year on the injured list as he's still recovering from shoulder surgery. Luis Rengifo has also missed time due to illness and is dealing with hamstring tightness, so there’s a chance he won’t be ready for Opening Day.
But with just a little more than two weeks until their regular-season opener against the White Sox on March 27, here’s a second Opening Day roster projection for the Angels:
Catcher (2): Logan O'Hoppe, Travis d'Arnaud
O’Hoppe will be the primary catcher again, after 127 games behind the plate in his first full season last year, but the Angels brought in d’Arnaud to ease the burden and help mentor him.
First base (1): Nolan Schanuel
Schanuel is looking to build on his rookie season that saw him play in 147 games, and added strength this offseason. Ryan Noda and non-roster invitee J.D. Davis are competing for backup roles.
Second base (1): Luis Rengifo
Rengifo's status for Opening Day is up in the air but there’s still enough time for him to get healthy and claim the position over non-roster invitee Tim Anderson, Scott Kingery, Kyren Paris and No. 1 prospect Christian Moore.
Shortstop (1): Kevin Newman
Neto will open the year on the injured list but his recovery has been ahead of schedule and he’s not expected to miss much time. Newman is on the 40-man roster and is competing with Anderson and Paris for the starting job to open the season.
Third base (1): Yoán Moncada
Moncada agreed to terms on a one-year deal just ahead of Spring Training and is slated to be the starting third baseman after Rendon underwent hip surgery.
Outfield (4): Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak
The outfield is set, but the big change is Trout moving from center field to right field. Ward is remaining in left but Adell and Moniak will combine to split action in center.
DH (1): Jorge Soler
Soler will be the club’s primary designated hitter, but Trout will also see time at DH in an attempt to keep him healthy this season.
Bench/Utility (2): Tim Anderson, J.D. Davis
Anderson could start at second if Rengifo isn’t ready, but is looking more likely to make the team. Davis makes sense as a corner infielder, although he’s still competing with Noda. If Rengifo isn’t healthy, it also opens a spot for Paris, Kingery or even Moore.
Starting pitchers (5): Yusei Kikuchi, Tyler Anderson, José Soriano, Kyle Hendricks, Jack Kochanowicz
The top four spots in the rotation are pretty much set after the Angels signed Kikuchi to a three-year deal and Hendricks to a one-year pact. The fifth spot is up for grabs among Kochanowicz, Chase Silseth and Reid Detmers. Kochanowicz is still very much in the mix but could slide into a multi-inning relief role to open the season. Prospects Caden Dana, Sam Aldegheri and George Klassen offer Minor League depth.
Relief pitchers (8): Kenley Jansen, Ben Joyce, Ryan Zeferjahn, Brock Burke, José Quijada, Jack Kochanowicz, Hans Crouse, José Suarez
The Angels signed Jansen to a one-year, $10 million deal to be closer with Joyce serving as his top setup reliever. Zeferjahn, Burke, Quijada and Suarez are essentially locks, leaving two open spots. Kochanowicz or Silseth could make some sense as a multi-inning reliever if they don’t crack the rotation. Crouse has pitched well this spring but is competing with several other relievers such as Rule 5 Draft pick Garrett McDaniels and Michael Peterson. No. 7 prospect Ryan Johnson has also pitched his way into the mix but could remain stretched out in the Minors.