TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Opening Day roster for the Angels became a little clearer on Friday, as right-handers Ryan Johnson and Jack Kochanowicz were both told they will make the club.
But their roles are yet to be determined, as the Angels are still working out how their rotation and bullpen will look come Thursday against the Astros in Houston. Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez is dealing with general arm soreness or “dead arm,” but is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Saturday and hasn’t been ruled out for the start of the season just yet. Fellow right-hander Alek Manoah is dealing with a fingernail blister and his status remains uncertain.
“We're still evaluating some things the last few days,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “We’ll see how it goes.”
But if Grayson and Manoah end up on the injured list, both Johnson, ranked as the club’s No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, and Kochanowicz could make the rotation. But No. 19 prospect Walbert Urena has also impressed this spring and remains in the mix to join either the rotation or the bullpen.
The Angels also reassigned several notable players on Friday, including No. 5 prospect George Klassen, who will start against the Dodgers on Sunday in the Freeway Series, and reliever Nick Sandlin, who is recovering from arthroscopic elbow surgery. Lefty Mitch Farris, who was considered for long relief, was also optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
So while the Angels finished Cactus League play on Friday, they still have several decisions to make. Here’s a look at what needs to be decided before Opening Day:
The rotation
Right-hander José Soriano will start Opening Day and will be followed by lefties Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers in the rotation. But the other spots are still yet to be decided.
Much of it depends on if Rodriguez and Manoah are healthy enough to start the season. But the Angels could be cautious with both of them, as neither pitched in the Majors last year. Johnson and Kochanowicz are now firmly in that mix along with Urena.
The bullpen and closer
Veterans Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, Drew Pomeranz and Brent Suter are locks to be in the bullpen, while right-handers Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman and Ryan Zeferjahn have pitched well this spring to put themselves in strong positions to make the team.
If those seven make the club, it would leave just one spot open in the bullpen. The Angels are still figuring out how to handle that last spot but Suter is expected to serve as a long reliever. They could also have either Kochanowicz or Urena in a bullpen role depending on how the rotation shakes out.
Suzuki said they haven’t decided on a closer but said Yates, Romano and Pomeranz all figure to get some chances. Yates seems most likely to get the first shot at closer given his experience but Romano has 113 career saves and the left-handed Pomeranz is coming off a strong year with the Cubs.
Second base and bench roles
Youngster Christian Moore, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, was an early favorite to claim the second base job but was optioned March 14. Non-roster invitee Adam Frazier fits the club well as a versatile defender who makes contact from the left side, while fellow non-roster invitee Jeimer Candelario has been the biggest surprise in camp.
Veteran Chris Taylor was also informed that he isn’t making the club on Friday while utilityman Vaughn Grissom had a cortisone shot in his ailing left hand on Wednesday and is also battling an illness, so his availability for Opening Day is in doubt.
It could bode well for both Frazier and Candelario, and the Angels could find spots for them on the 40-man roster by placing both third baseman Anthony Rendonand reliever Robert Stephenson on the 60-day injured list. Stephenson is still set to meet with Dr. Keith Meister next week to determine if he sustained further damage to his ulnar collateral ligament.
Oswald Peraza, who is out of options, had an impressive under-the-radar spring and looks like he could be a factor at second base. He could spend time there with Frazier based on matchups, as Suzuki said he’s open to playing multiple players at the position.
With Taylor out of the mix and Grissom possibly going on the injured list, it also means Bryce Teodosio could find a role with the club as an extra outfielder. Teodosio provides elite defense and could provide some insurance with Josh Lowe coming back from a left oblique injury and Mike Trout expected to return to center field.