BALTIMORE -- The excitement over the Angels' four-game winning streak was tempered because of an injury to first baseman C.J. Cron.
Cron suffered a fracture in his left hand after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of Friday's 9-5 victory over the first-place Baltimore Orioles. He will see a specialist on Monday.
After the game, Cron had the hand wrapped and was visibly upset about missing time, especially with the Angels finally starting to play well.
"It sucks, but it is what it is," Cron said. "You never want to get hurt, especially under these circumstances when we are finally putting together some wins. It's bad timing for sure."
Los Angeles will promote Ji-Man Choi from Triple-A Salt Lake City on Saturday to take Cron's spot. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia was also disappointed by the loss of Cron, who has been a key player for him this season. Cron is batting .278 with 11 home runs and 50 RBIs.
"It's a blow to us and to C.J., who really picked it up," Scioscia said. "He really started to become productive in a way we know he can. We're going to have to keep going. We'll have to get some other bats in the lineup and hopefully remain productive."
The Angels will get a boost Saturday with the return of catcher Geovany Soto, who has been on the DL since May 18 with a right lateral meniscus injury. In a corresponding move, catcher Carlos Perez will be optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City.
Scioscia is just hoping to keep some momentum heading into the All-Star break.
"We're playing well," Scioscia said. "Hopefully, we'll carry it over tomorrow. Baltimore is a tough club. We held them down and when they opened the door, we took advantage of it. The bottom line is we're pitching better."