The Atlanta Braves non-tendered right-handers Griffin Canning, Royber Salinas, Huascar Ynoa, left-hander Ray Kerr, and outfielder Ramon Laureano on Friday, making them all free agents. Canning didn't last long with the Braves after the Braves acquired him from the Los Angeles Angels the day after the World Series ended for slugging outfielder Jorge Soler. In his final season with the Angels in 2024, he went 6-13 with a 5.19 ERA (5.26 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP and a 130:66 K:BB in 171 2/3 innings over 32 outings (31 starts). Canning's 99 earned runs allowed led the league for a bad Angels squad. The 28-year-old was once one of the Halos' promising young pitching prospects, but in his five years in the big leagues, he's had a 4.78 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 22.2% strikeout rate. At best, he'll land with a team that gives him a shot at a back-end rotation spot in spring training in 2025.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Griffin Canning (elbow) said he's fine and is expecting to make the start on Wednesday on the road in Seattle against the division-rival Mariners. Canning was pulled from his last start early on Friday against the Oakland Athletics due to right-elbow irritation, but it looks like he'll avoid a stint on the injured list. Even though the Mariners are a decent matchup, fantasy managers won't be ecstatic to use Canning coming off an injury scare. The 28-year-old former second-round pick in 2017 out of UCLA hasn't gone more than five innings in a start since June 29 and allowed 12 earned runs on 16 hits (three homers) while walking six and striking out 10 in 12 innings in his last three starts combined. He's 3-10 with a 5.20 ERA in his 20 starts in 2024 and has a career-low 15.7% strikeout rate.
Griffin Canning Leaves Early With Elbow Irritation
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Griffin Canning (elbow) left his start early on Friday in Oakland against the division-rival Athletics due to right-elbow irritation when he was throwing his slider. However, Canning said after the 13-3 blowout loss to open the second half of the season that he's not overly concerned about the injury. Adding insult to injury, Canning was demolished by the lowly A's in his 3 1/3 innings of work for his 10th loss of the year, allowing a season-high-tying six earned runs on six hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out three to raise his season ERA to 5.20. Even though the 28-year-old isn't that concerned about his elbow, it doesn't mean the Angels won't put him on the 15-day injured list. Canning, who pitches for one of the worst teams in baseball, came into Friday's start with a career-low 15.7% strikeout rate.
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 right-hander Griffin Canning is likely to start on Opening Day for the club on March 28. If the Angels don't juggle their current schedule when it comes to their pitchers, Canning is indeed lined up to start the opener. After missing the entire 2022 season due to stress fractures in his back, Canning returned in 2023 to work to a 4.32 ERA across 24 appearances (22 starts) while posting a quality 19.2% K-BB% in his career-high 127 innings of work. It was certainly an encouraging return from injury for Canning as he should see an increase in workload this time around. ATC projects a 4.16 ERA and a 17.9% K-BB% across 25 starts for the 27-year-old in 2024, numbers that would serve fantasy managers well as a mid-round pick.
Griffin Canning To Throw In Minor-League Game Wednesday
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Griffin Canning is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league game on Wednesday as he looks to continue what has been a strong spring to this point. Through three outings, the 27-year-old sports a 1.17 ERA and has eight strikeouts against four walks across 7 2/3 innings of work. All four of his free passes came in his most recent outing while he also struck out four in a March 7 outing against the Seattle Mariners. Canning worked to a 4.32 ERA across 24 outings (22 starts) in the 2023 campaign after missing all of the 2022 season due to a stress fracture in his lower back. He also posted a stellar 19.2% K-BB% a season ago, making him an intriguing fantasy option ahead of the 2024 season.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Griffin Canning has been excellent through his first two starts of Cactus League action. The 27-year-old has yet to allow an earned run through five innings of work with four strikeouts and zero walks in that time. He has allowed seven hits and a .350 average but six of those seven knocks have gone for singles and he has not yielded a home run. It's a nice start for Canning who enjoyed a solid season in 2023 with a 4.32 ERA and a healthy 19.2% K-BB% across 24 outings (22 starts) and a career-high 127 innings of work. Injuries had previously limited Canning's big-league exposure but he was able to post a career-best 25.9% and 6.7% BB% a season ago. He is an intriguing fantasy option heading toward 2024 with ATC projecting 25 starts of 4.16 ERA ball along with another stellar 17.9% K-BB%. He is worth the investment at his 284.2 ADP, if not sooner.
Angels Reinstate Griffin Canning From Injured List
The Los Angeles Angels reinstated right-hander Griffin Canning (calf) from the injured list on Sunday and optioned left-hander Kenny Rosenberg to Triple-A Salt Lake following Saturday's game in a corresponding move. Canning's calf injury wasn't all that serious, as he was placed on the injured list back on Aug. 1. The 27-year-old right-hander is a candidate to be used in relief in Sunday's contest against the Houston Astros on the road. It's unclear when he'll return to the Halos' starting rotation. Canning has been decent so far in 2023, going 6-4 with a 4.46 ERA (4.60 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 25 walks and 91 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings of work in his 16 starts. His 9.7 K/9 mark is the highest of his four-year career.
The Los Angeles Angels placed right-hander Griffin Canning (calf) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 29) on Tuesday with right-calf tightness and recalled right-hander Victor Mederos from Double-A Rocket City in a corresponding move. Canning was scratched from his start on Monday against the Atlanta Braves with general soreness, but now he'll miss at least the next two weeks with a calf injury. The 27-year-old's injury isn't very serious, though, so he should be ready to rejoin the team's starting rotation when he's eligible in the middle of August. Canning has been much better on the mound for fantasy managers in the last two months, and he's gone 6-4 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in total over 16 starts (84 2/3 innings) in 2023.
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Griffin Canning has been scratched from his scheduled start on Monday against the Atlanta Braves with "general soreness" that lingered a bit longer than normal after his last start. Canning isn't overly concerned, though, and he's hoping to rejoin the starting rotation in a few days. With Canning out on Monday, right-hander Chase Silseth will get the spot start in an incredibly difficult matchup against the first-place Braves. In 10 appearances (two starts) for the Halos in 2023, the 23-year-old has a 4.44 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 25 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings pitched. Avoid him as a fantasy streamer. Canning has been solid in his last two starts, allowing four earned runs on 13 hits while walking only three and striking out 20 in 10 2/3 frames.
