Los Angeles Angels Roster
- AL West
- Stadium
- Angel Stadium of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels acquired right-hander Roansy Contreras from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, according to sources. The Pirates had designated Contreras for assignment last Saturday. The 24-year-old Dominican hurler went 1-0 with the Pirates with a 4.41 ERA (5.01 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with eight walks and 16 strikeouts in 16 1/3 relief innings over 12 outings out of the bullpen this year before being traded to the American League. In his four big-league seasons in Pittsburgh, Contreras has made 53 appearances, with 30 of them coming in a starting role, so he could become an option to make some spot starts for the Halos eventually. Contreras has a career 4.83 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with weak 20.2% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate. Fantasy managers can continue ignoring him.
The Los Angeles Angels reinstated infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned infielder Niko Goodrum and right-hander Davis Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake after Wednesday night's game in a corresponding move. Rengifo missed over a week with a viral illness that caused painful blisters on his feet. Now that the 27-year-old is recovered, he should return to everyday duties at third base for the Halos, starting on Friday for their series opener against the Rangers in Texas. Rengifo is due some regression after starting the year with a .330/.378/.462 slash line with two home runs and nine stolen bases in 28 games, but the fact that he's going to play regularly makes him at least a middle-infield bench option in deep-mixed fantasy leagues. He's most useful for his speed in AL-only formats.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning earned his second win of the year on Wednesday in a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals. Canning went six innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits and three walks while striking out five. The lone run came on a solo shot off the bat of Paul Goldschmidt. After a rough start to the season, Canning has pitched well in his three May starts, posting a 1.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, a 6:13 BB:K, and limiting opponents to a .190 batting average. His May LOB% of 98.7% is not sustainable though, so he's probably due for some regression. We'll see if he can keep it up as the 28-year-old will take on Houston on the road in his next start.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps) started a minor-league rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on Monday. The 28-year-old left the first Cactus League game during spring training on Feb. 24 after feeling discomfort in his left quadriceps muscle. He was able to progress to running drills and baseball activity but suffered a setback in mid-March. Stefanic then underwent an MRI exam that showed a strain, causing him to open the 2024 season on the injured list. In his first rehab game on Monday, Stefanic went 1-for-2 with an RBI while playing only three innings at second base. He's going to spend a good amount of time on his rehab assignment considering his long layoff, but he'll be eligible to give the Angels more infield depth at the end of May.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Cisnero (shoulder) started his throwing progression and played catch last Thursday before progressing to throwing from 60 feet on Monday. Cisnero struggled in his last outing on April 27 against the Minnesota Twins and then complained of shoulder discomfort before being put on the 15-day injured list on April 28. At the time, manager Ron Washington said the injury wasn't considered serious, so the reliever could be back in the Angels' bullpen sooner than later. The 35-year-old Dominican hurler is in his first year with the Halos and had a bloated 7.07 ERA (6.28 FIP) and 1.71 WHIP with seven walks and 16 strikeouts in 14 relief innings at the time of his shoulder injury. Cisnero won't have any real fantasy appeal when he's back.