ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels left-handed pitcher Kenny Rosenberg was set to make his season debut as a starter Thursday for game one of four against the Oakland Athletics.
Rosenberg has quickly found a role for himself on the Angels roster after being called up from the minors on July10th.
This season, he has made only two appearances in relief for the Angels, once on July 11th, when he lasted six innings for the Angels striking out four batters and giving up six runs. His most recent appearance out of the bullpen came last Saturday in Oakland going out for a four-inning stretch that featured him striking out three batters and giving up just one run and four hits.
Angels manager Ron Washington wants just one thing from his starter Thursday and that's keeping them in the game.
"Just keep us in the ballgame, do what he's done when he's come in the ballgame, and give us as many innings as he possibly can." Said Washington.
During his three-year career with the Angels, Rosenberg has started in a total of four games. Each game, he has been able to pitch at least four innings.
If he can provide that kind of production Thursday, the Angels will be in good hands Thursday as most of the bullpen except Luis Garcia who pitched in both Monday and Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners should be available Thursday.
Trout day-to-day
Earlier this week, three-time American League MVP, Mike Trout began his rehab assignment with the Angels triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees. After playing in just two innings on Monday night, Trout exited the game due to feeling soreness in his left knee. Since then, Trout has returned to Southern California and will be reevaluated.
Mike Trout was removed from tonight's rehab game with left knee soreness. He is considered day to day.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) July 24, 2024
Washington has heard no update on Trout yet and says he is currently day-to-day.
No update on Mike Trout. Angels manager Ron Washington said the team currently has him as "Day to day". @SportingTrib @TaylorBlakeWard
— Thomas Murray (@Thomas_L_Murray) July 25, 2024
"When he did it, that afternoon, we had him to day-today. Yesterday when he wasn't in the lineup, we had him day-to-day. So we just decided to bring him back and go further on. So it's still day to day." Said Washington.
Thursday's lineup
In Thursday's lineup, Luis Rengifo will be hitting second and playing second base. Kevin Pillar is also getting the start Thursday in right field and hitting fifth, giving both Brandon Druy and Jo Adell the night off.
Washington stated that both Drury and Adell were not injured but wanted to give Adell a chance to have a day off after having a heroic game-winning double on Monday night, which was followed by a Seattle error that allowed him to advance to third. Druy's absence from the lineup tonight is due to Rengifo being back from the team's injured list and Washington wanting to keep his bat in the lineup.
"Since Rengifo's come back, we got to try to move him around, and today I'm going to give him second base." Said Washington.
This season, Rengifo has been one of the best hitters in the Angels lineup. Right now, his .309 batting average is fourth in the MLB, ahead of Minnesota Twins Carlos Correa (.308), Houston Astros Jose Altuve (.307), and New York Yankees Aaron Judge (.307). Rengifo is also leading the Angels with 22 stolen bases.