OAKLAND, Calif. — The Angels stumbled in their 13-3 loss on Friday evening to the Oakland Athletics to officially begin the second half of the calendar.
Starting pitcher Griffin Canning (3-10, 5.20 ERA) only pitched 3⅓ innings in game one, pressuring manager Ron Washington to turn to his bullpen early.
Washington on Saturday talked about Canning’s potential injury, center fielder Mike Trout’s road to recovery and rookie pitcher Jack Kochanowicz’s (0-1, 12.00 ERA) strengths ahead of his second career start. Kochanowicz is set to face Athletics (38-61) rookie Mitch Spence (5-6, 4.75 ERA) as the Angels (41-56) look to return to their winning ways.
Canning day-to-day
Canning was throwing in warmups Saturday morning, following his rough start in which he allowed six runs and felt irritation in his elbow when throwing sliders.
“It’s still day-to-day,” Washington said. “He’s out there throwing, so maybe nothing.”
Canning gave reporters a thumbs up before heading off the field in warmups.
The Angels have dealt with a flurry of injuries this season, so they’ll hope for Canning to stay in the rotation as the season winds down. The team hasn’t reported anything official regarding any potential injury.
Trout off to Arizona
Trout arrived in Arizona today at Los Angeles’ Spring Training site to hit against live pitching. Following his two-day session, he’ll head to Salt Lake City to begin his rehab assignment in Triple-A.
All minor-league clubs have the day off on Monday, so Trout could suit up for the Bees on Tuesday when they face the El Paso Chihuahuas.
Trout hasn’t played a major league game since April 29 because of a left knee injury.
Kochanowicz in rotation
Kochanowicz struggled in his first career MLB start on July 11, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and two hit batters in three innings against Seattle.
“Just get that sinker down,” Washington said of Kochanowicz. “He has to work [Saturday] to just get that ball down.”
Although the rookie has pitched three career innings, Washington won’t shy away from allowing him to pitch into the later innings if he’s performing well.
“The plan is for him to keep the ball as long as he can keep the ball, and that's the plan every time we put a pitcher out there,” Washington said. “We don't have a pitch count on him.”
Kochanowicz will face the A’s at 1:07 p.m. on Saturday.