Richards, Cozart among 4 Angels added to DL

June 16th, 2018

OAKLAND -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia isn't sure whether he's ever lost four players to injury in one day, but he's not feeling sorry for himself after the Angels placed shortstop Zack Cozart (left shoulder subluxation) and right-handers (left hamstring strain), Nick Tropeano (right shoulder inflammation) and Jim Johnson (lumbar strain) on the 10-day disabled list on Friday.
The Angels now have an MLB-high 15 players in the DL.
"We feel like we have the guys who are going to go in there and contribute and keep us going," Scioscia said. "If we can pitch and have our bullpen hold leads, then we're going to be fine."
To fill the void, the Angels recalled right-handed pitchers , , and .
Cozart hurt his shoulder while making a diving play against the Mariners on Wednesday, leaving the game in the fourth inning. Scioscia said it's an injury that Cozart has dealt with before.
Richards was also injured during Wednesday's loss, leaving after two innings and 35 pitches. He had an MRI exam on Thursday and the prognosis is good, according to Scioscia, but the Angels are being cautious with the starter, who is 4-4 with a 3.42 ERA.
"It was definitely affecting how he was trying to execute pitches the other day, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that it isn't an extended injury," Scioscia said.
On Tropeano, Scioscia said the medical staff decided it was not in the righty's best interest to grind through his shoulder issues. Tropeano, who had been expected to start on Saturday, has a 4.83 ERA in 10 starts this season.
"You can absorb the regular players who are out here and there, but ... the toughest commodity to find is really good starting pitching," Scioscia said. "That takes a big dent out of what you're trying to do."
The Angels will also be short a late-inning reliever, with Johnson's back locking up a few days ago, according to Scioscia. Johnson has a 3.93 ERA in 33 appearances.
Lamb to be called up
will be called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to start Saturday's game against the A's. Lamb has not pitched in the Majors since 2016 with the Reds and struggled last year with the Angels at Salt Lake, posting a 5.54 ERA while also serving a 50-game suspension for a second positive test of a drug of abuse. This season, Lamb has a 3.44 ERA in 13 starts with the Bees.
"He's made a lot of strides from where he was last year," Scioscia said. "He's healthy, made some adjustments to his stuff, and he's throwing the ball very well."

Injury updates: Simmons, Calhoun
• Shortstop made progress running the bases and is taking batting practice. Simmons was placed on the 10-day DL on June 6 after spraining his ankle on the dugout steps before a game.
• Scioscia said that right fielder , dealing with an injured oblique, is feeling better but working through stiffness. Calhoun began a rehab assignment in Salt Lake on Wednesday and hit a home run in his first at-bat.