PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Matt Shoemaker, Angels
The right-hander, whose 2016 season ended when he was hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of Kyle Seager and needed emergency surgery to relieve bleeding in his brain, has been experimenting with protective plates in his hat this spring. But he said he doesn’t feel any different on the mound. In his March 14 outing, he retired the first 11 Kansas City Royals batters he faced. “I’m just continuing the process this spring, getting ready,” Shoemaker told ESPN.com. He gave up four runs (two earned) in four innings Sunday.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
Right-hander Jesse Chavez, who joined the Angels on a oneyear, $5.75 million contract, appears to be the front-runner for the final spot in the rotation. Right-handers Alex Meyer and Bud Norris and lefty Manny Banuelos are also in the hunt.
KEY NUMBER
872
Innings pitched by Oakland’s starters last season. That was the fewest in the American League.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“It’s definitely difficult for them. It just shows them how hard our sport is. If you put us in their sport, I feel like it would be the same way.” — Angels minor league pitcher Keynan Middle
ton on the Harlem Globetrotters, who worked out with the club.