Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (shoulder) will start a throwing program "very shortly," manager Phil Nevin said on Friday. Nevin also said he expects to see Thaiss return at some point before the end of the season. The 28-year-old backstop jammed his right shoulder on a slide into third base on Aug. 19 and tried to play through it before being placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 25 with right-shoulder inflammation. He said his shoulder affects him the most when he's throwing, so his throwing program will be a big test to see if he can make it back in September. Until Thaiss is able to return, the Halos will roll with Logan O'Hoppe as their primary catcher and Chad Wallach as his backup.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (shoulder) jammed his shoulder on a slide into third base on Aug. 19 and tried to play through it before being put on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 25 with right-shoulder inflammation. Thaiss said the injury affects him most when he throws, but he said he's hopeful it's a short-term injury. The 28-year-old backstop underwent further testing that revealed no structural damage to his shoulder, manager Phil Nevin said on Monday. Barring a setback as he ramps up activities, Thaiss should rejoin the Angels as a catching option early next month. In a career-high 90 games played in 2023, he's hitting .223/.330/.344 with a career-high-tying eight home runs, six doubles, 30 RBI and 31 runs scored in 291 plate appearances.
Los Angeles Angels backstop Matt Thaiss is absent from the lineup for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. The 28-year-old is putting up solid numbers with a .269 average, three home runs, 19 runs, 19 RBI, and one steal across 50 games. However, his .620 OPS against southpaws has limited his playing time, and with lefty Clayton Kershaw on the mound, Thais will take a seat. Chad Wallach will take care of the catching duties instead and bat seventh. The 31-year-old is hitting with power like never before, going deep six times in just 32 games while batting .263. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to use Wallach as a streaming option in hopes he can keep mashing.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Texas Rangers and a left-handed starter. Thaiss has gone hitless in eight at-bats in his last three games, so it's time for the Angels to try someone new behind the dish. He's hitting just .222 (10-for-45) with two homers, four RBI and 18 strikeouts in 19 games for the Halos. Kurt Suzuki is getting the nod behind the plate on Thursday and will hit seventh in the batting order against Rangers left-hander Martin Perez. Suzuki is hitting just .179 on the year with four home runs in 134 at-bats. He has just two hits in 29 at-bats against southpaws in 2022, with one of them clearing the fences.
Los Angeles Angels corner infielder Matt Thaiss, who was originally drafted as a catcher in 2016, has been working to increase his versatility and has been catching again at Triple-A Salt Lake. Thaiss was converted to first base after being drafted, but he's also seen action at third base, second base and in the outfield. The 26-year-old saw 25 plate appearances in eight games for the Angels last year, hitting .143 (3-for-21) with a home run and one RBI. So far this year in the minors, he is slashing .300/.472/.475 with a home run, two doubles, one triple and six RBI in 53 plate appearances over 13 games for Salt Lake. The left-handed hitter can continue to be ignored in fantasy leagues, and he'll be just bench depth at the majors if he's called up at any point this year.
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Matt Thaiss will look to shake loose from a 1-for-20 slump heading into this week's fantasy action. Thaiss hit five home runs and posted a .600 slugging percentage in the month of July but is off to a very slow start this month. The rookie has struck out seven times over his last 20 at-bats and will need to make adjustments at the plate. Thaiss has dynasty value but, right now, cannot help fantasy rosters win games.
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Matt Thaiss went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the Angels 6-1 win over the Tigers on Tuesday. Thaiss is not in the lineup Wednesday but has really opened some eyes since being called up on July 3. Thaiss has been fantastic over the last week, going 8-for-17 (.470) over his last five starts with four home runs and eight runs batted in. Thaiss is not in the lineup Wednesday and will have to continue to compete with teammate Albert Pujols and DH Shohei Ohtani for at-bats. Thaiss is not worth the fantasy gamble, except in dynasty leagues, right now but could further ascend if he continues to produce.
Los Angeles Angels first base prospect Matt Thaiss is being promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake. Thaiss is slashing .287/.352/.490 with six home runs in 40 games at Double-A, so it's not surprising to see him get the call. Long one of LA's top prospects, he could find himself in the big leagues in September if he hits well in Salt Lake. Keep him on the radar in dynasty formats and AL-only leagues if he gets the call.
