Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is back in the team's split-squad Cactus League lineup on Friday against the division-rival Athletics and is playing third base and batting leadoff. It's the first spring game for Rengifo in the month of March after dealing with hamstring tightness and being scratched from the lineup multiple times last week. The 28-year-old utility infielder has a few weeks to get ready for Opening Day, but if he has any more setbacks, he'll likely need to start the regular season on the injured list. If he's healthy by March 27, Rengifo should be in the Angels' lineup regularly between third base, shortstop and second base. He was initially eased into spring action after having wrist surgery last August. Rengifo's speed, contact abilities and positional versatility make him a late-round target as infield depth in fantasy leagues. UPDATE: Manager Ron Washington thinks Rengifo has enough time to get ready for Opening Day as long as he doesn't have any setbacks.
Luis Rengifo To Hit In Minor-League Game On Wednesday
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is scheduled to get some at-bats in camp on Wednesday in a minor-league game, but he won't play the field or run the bases. Rengifo, who was scratched twice last week from Cactus League games with hamstring tightness, is just trying to get his timing down at this point. The 28-year-old switch-hitter is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day later this month, although the Angels haven't ruled him out just yet because of his lingering hamstring issues. With shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) already starting on the injured list, the Angels could go with Yoan Moncada at third, Kevin Newman at short and rookie Christian Moore at second to open the regular season if Rengifo also requires an IL stint. When healthy, Rengifo should be a lineup regular between third and second base in 2025.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) participated in on-field drills at camp on Monday and still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day later this month despite being scratched for a second time in a week on Sunday due to a tight hamstring. Manager Ron Washington said the team hasn't made a decision on who will start at shortstop or second base yet to begin the 2025 regular season. On Sunday, Washington said the Angels would back off Rengifo so that he can get past his hamstring issue, which puts his availability for Opening Day in question. Starting shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will start the year on the injured list, so the Angels' infield options are thinning quickly. Veteran Kevin Newman is the favorite to start at the 6, while infield prospect Christian Moore is looking increasingly likely to make the Opening Day roster, especially if Rengifo isn't ready.
The Los Angeles Angels plan to back off with infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) because of more tightness in his hamstring that caused him to be scratched from the Cactus League lineup on Saturday for the second time this week. Manager Ron Washington said Rengifo was already behind after missing time in camp with an illness, and now the skipper is unsure if Rengifo will be ready for Opening Day later this month. The Angels aren't going to take any chances with the 28-year-old utility infielder, which makes sense given the fact that starting shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) is already going to start the year on the injured list. When healthy, Rengifo is expected to be an everyday player for the Angels, primarily at second and third base. He offers limited power, but his contact and speed skills make him an attractive target for infield depth in deeper leagues. If he's not ready, it will only increase the odds of infield prospect Christian Moore making the Opening Day roster.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) was scratched from Saturday's Cactus League lineup with hamstring tightness for the second time in a week. Second base prospect Christian Moore will enter the lineup at second base and will bat sixth against the Milwaukee Brewers. Rengifo's hamstring injury shouldn't be something that causes him to miss Opening Day later this month, but the Angels clearly aren't going to rush him back in spring training, especially since shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will start the year on the injured list. Between third base, shortstop and second base, the 28-year-old Rengifo should be an everyday player for the Halos in 2025 after hitting .300/.347/.417 with a career-high 24 steals in only 78 games last year. Rengifo doesn't have a ton of power but should contribute a high average thanks to his bat-to-ball skills, making him a decent deep-league target for infield depth.
Luis Rengifo Returns To Starting Lineup On Saturday
Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is returning to the starting lineup on Saturday evening to face the Milwaukee Brewers. Rengifo is covering the keystone and batting in the six-hole. The infielder was dealing with cramps in his hamstring throughout the week. However, seeing him return to the lineup relatively quickly suggests the injury is not serious and will not put him in danger of missing Opening Day. Last season, Rengifo appeared in 78 contests and held a .300/.347/.417 slash line with 13 doubles and six home runs. He swiped 24 bags and added 41 runs and 30 RBI. Under the hood, he generated a .262 xBA with a strong 14.5 percent strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should expect Rengifo to operate as the team's everyday second baseman during the 2025 campaign.
The Athletic's Sam Blum reports that both Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (knee) and infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) said they are fine and expect to return to the Cactus League lineup in a day or so. Ward and Rengifo were both recently scratched from spring training action due to minor injuries -- Ward is dealing with knee soreness, while Rengifo merely had a hamstring cramp. The 31-year-old Ward will continue to serve as the Angels' starting left fielder in 2025 and could also be their leadoff hitter. While nothing he does at the plate jumps off the page to fantasy managers, don't forget that he finished the 2024 season as a top-40 outfielder for a bad Angels team. Rengifo, meanwhile, should also be an everyday player in 2025 as a utility infielder. He has very little power but is useful for infield depth later in drafts for his speed, contact abilities and positional versatility.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) was scratched from Monday's Cactus League lineup against the Colorado Rockies due to hamstring tightness, according to the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher. Infielder Tim Anderson will take over for Rengifo at second base and will bat in the leadoff spot. The Angels likely pulled Rengifo out of the lineup as a precaution, so we'll consider him day-to-day for now. Especially with Zach Neto (shoulder) starting the year on the injured list, Rengifo should be playing regularly somewhere on the infield for the Halos between third base, second base or shortstop, as long as he's healthy. The 28-year-old will also likely be hitting near the top of the lineup against right-handers, giving fantasy managers a nice utility infielder to target later in drafts for his contact skills, positional versatility and speed.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (wrist) will make his spring training debut against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He came into camp without restrictions following right wrist surgery from last August. Despite that, Rengifo has been held out of game action until now, but it sounds like the wrist is no longer an issue for him. Rengifo will cover third base and bat leadoff during Friday's game. He was in the middle of a breakout campaign in 2024 before getting injured. Rengifo could see significant time at third base this season with Anthony Rendon (hip) beginning the season on the injured list.
Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (wrist), who had right-wrist surgery last August, said he was able to start a normal offseason program in late December and will be ready to go for Opening Day at the end of March. Between second base, third base and shortstop in 2025, Rengifo should play regularly for the Angels after hitting .273/.323/.431 with 39 home runs, 133 RBI and 36 stolen bases in 331 games for the Halos the last three seasons. He played in only 78 contests in 2024 due to his wrist injury but hit .300/.347/.417 with six home runs, 30 RBI, a career-high 24 stolen bases and 41 runs scored in 304 plate appearances. In addition to being a utility infielder, Rengifo can play the outfield, giving him plenty of avenues for regular at-bats. He's valuable for infield depth in fantasy leagues because of his high contact rate and his speed, just don't expect much power.
Luis Rengifo
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