Halos embrace Players' Weekend nickname fun
Club to don stylish all-black uniforms for Aug. 23-25 series at Houston
CINCINNATI -- Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Players' Weekend will return from Aug. 23-25, and the Angels released the nicknames that will be worn by the players that weekend when they play the Astros in Houston.
Superstar Mike Trout will again use “Kiiiiid,” while Albert Pujols will use “La Maquina,” which translates to “the Machine,” and Shohei Ohtani will have “Showtime” on the back of his jersey. Ty Buttrey and Justin Upton are also making good use of emojis, as Buttrey will use a peach emoji and a tree emoji in a humorous attempt to phonetically pronounce his last name, while Upton is using J with the up-arrow emoji to symbolize his nickname of J Up.
Angels players will also have a special patch to honor the late Tyler Skaggs, while all Major League players have the option of utilizing the same patch to pay tribute to Skaggs that weekend.
Other notable nicknames on the Angels include Cam Bedrosian's "Bedrock," Kole Calhoun's "Koleski," Andrew Heaney's "Heandog," Dillon Peters' "Dillypicklez," Hansel Robles' "Caballo Blanco (white horse)," and Andrelton Simmons' "Simba.”
Clubs will wear either all-white or all-black uniforms, with the home team selecting which color they’d rather wear. Authentic team hats and jerseys are on sale at MLBShop.com, while game-worn Players’ Weekend jerseys and helmets will be auctioned off, with all proceeds donated to the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, which aims to improve the caliber and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the U.S. and Canada.
Ramirez throws bullpen
Reliever Noe Ramirez, on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 24 with a viral infection, had a slight setback Monday, but threw a bullpen session Tuesday. Ramirez is expected to go on a rehab assignment before returning and was scheduled to begin one this weekend, but could see it slightly pushed back.
“He threw a 'pen and did all of his baseball activity,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “We were eyeballing him making a rehab start or two this weekend, but it’s a little bit in flux because of yesterday. So I don’t know if we’re on schedule. It may be pushed back a day or two.”
Heaney likely to start Saturday
The Angels have yet to list a starter for Saturday’s game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, but left-hander Andrew Heaney (left shoulder inflammation) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to make the start. Heaney had no issues Tuesday, a day after he threw a 64-pitch simulated game at Great American Ball Park.
“He feels good today,” Ausmus said. “We have to make sure he feels good all the way to the weekend. It looks like it’s a possibility.”
Middleton progressing
Reliever Keynan Middleton, who suffered a slight setback in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, threw a bullpen session Tuesday without any issues. Middleton experienced a nerve issue in his right elbow and was pulled from his rehab assignment on July 19, but could begin another rehab assignment soon.
“He threw a 20-pitch 'pen today,” Ausmus said. “Full speed. Full velocity.”