Adell sitting, waiting for playing time
If history is any indication, Jo Adell is going to get an opportunity to play as injuries or extended struggles of other players clear the way.
For now, though, he's still waiting.
The Angels outfielder was on the bench again Sunday. He's started just two of the first nine games.
“I've got some pretty good little ball players and I can only get nine on the field,” manager Ron Washington said. “Everyone that's here is going to get a chance to play. We are at the 7th of April and we started the 28th of March. There's still a lot of baseball to go. We'll find places to get Jo in there.”
Although Washington said he's not necessarily saving Adell to face lefties, that would make sense because Mickey Moniak is not as good against lefties.
The Angels are in the midst of 13 consecutive games against the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox have no lefties in their rotation and the Rays have one. The Angels are not scheduled to see the Rays' lefty this week.
When the roster was constructed, it was clear that there was the potential for a logjam, with outfielders Aaron Hicks, Moniak and Adell all on the team. Adell and Moniak are out of options, so the Angels can't send either to the minors.
Washington and Angels general manager Perry Minasian typically dismissed questions about playing time, saying it would work itself out. Although it probably still will, one added variable that was not anticipated over the winter was the presence of Miguel Sanó.
Signed to a minor-league deal, Sanó has started six of the first nine games, including five at DH. Sanó was hitting .261 with an .821 OPS heading into Sunday's game.
Adell had just 11 plate appearances, going 2 for 9 with a walk. One of his hits was a triple. Adell had struck out twice. He also had a sacrifice fly, which came on a two-strike swing Wednesday in Miami.
“He did exactly what he's supposed to do,” Washington said. “If you can't get a base hit, the next best thing is to hit a sac fly. He didn't get a base hit, but he got a sac fly. He knew his job was to get the ball in the air. And he showed that he has that capability. And that's the mindset we want to keep him in. Do what the game asks him to do.”