TEMPE, Ariz. -- Griffin Canning felt something in his right elbow after his start against the Dodgers on Wednesday and will undergo an MRI exam, Angels manager Joe Maddon said on Thursday.
Maddon said he’s concerned about the status of Canning’s elbow, as he missed time with a right elbow strain twice last year and was shut down for the season in mid-August. The 23-year-old right-hander was slated to be the club’s No. 4 starter after a solid rookie year, so if he’s lost for an extended period of time, it would be a major blow to a rotation that is already considered the club’s weakest link.
"We're waiting for a conclusion,” Maddon said. “He's had a history, so of course you're concerned."
Maddon added that he wasn’t sure when they’ll know more about the severity of Canning’s elbow injury but that it could come late Thursday or on Friday. Canning threw two hitless innings against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on Wednesday and never mentioned anything about his elbow to reporters after his outing. Canning made two impressive defensive plays in the game as well.
"This kid is nice,” Maddon said. “You hear me talking about his athleticism all the time. He made two great plays. He has a great arm. He has a fabulous future. We want him well."
Canning is coming off a rookie season that saw him post a 4.58 ERA with 96 strikeouts, 30 walks and 14 homers allowed in 90 1/3 innings. He was the club’s best pitching prospect coming into last season.
Canning is expected to be part of a rotation that includes veterans Andrew Heaney, Julio Teheran and Dylan Bundy, with the fifth spot up for grabs. If Canning is out, it would lead to more opportunities for other starters such as Matt Andriese, Félix Peña, Patrick Sandoval, Jaime Barria and Jose Suarez.
"You kind of like when he's in [the rotation],” Maddon said of Canning. “I like the thought of him being [in] it. It definitely would cause us to reconsider."
Maddon discusses lineup
The Angels rolled out what could be their Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the Padres, with second baseman David Fletcher leading off and being followed by center fielder Mike Trout, third baseman Anthony Rendon, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, left fielder Justin Upton, first baseman Albert Pujols, catcher Jason Castro, shortstop Andrelton Simmons and right fielder Brian Goodwin.
This could very well be the typical batting order, though Maddon said that Tommy La Stella remains likely to start at second base against righties, while Fletcher will get the call against lefties. When La Stella is at second, Fletcher is expected to make starts all around the diamond, including both outfield corners.
Maddon also said he likes having Trout hit second, Rendon third and Ohtani fourth, which is a new wrinkle for Ohtani, who is accustomed to hitting right after Trout.
“[Rendon] protects Trout and Ohtani protects [Rendon],” Maddon said. “Trout and Rendon don’t know right- from left-handed pitching. They kill them both. There’s not an obvious split there. I’m good with stacking.”
Angels tidbits
• Reliever Ty Buttrey, who has been out with an intercostal strain, threw a bullpen session on Thursday for the first time since suffering his injury. He'll throw two more sessions before making his Cactus League debut in early March. He remains on track to be ready for Opening Day.
• Right-hander Julio Teheran is also on track to throw a bullpen session this weekend and he is expected to make his first start of the spring early next week after being scratched from his scheduled outing on Wednesday with left hamstring tightness. Teheran is also expected to be ready for the start of the season.
Up next
Left-hander Andrew Heaney will make his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Rangers at 12:10 p.m. PT at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Angels are hoping for a healthy season from Heaney, who last season dealt with left elbow and left shoulder issues that limited him to 18 starts with a 4.91 ERA in 95 1/3 innings. Righty Lance Lynn starts for Texas.