Marisnick again fighting for a job
TEMPE, ARIZ. >> Jake Marisnick is in a familiar position.
The outfielder has more than nine years of major league service time, but this is the third straight season in which he's been in spring training on a minor-league deal, fighting for a job.
The last two times — with the Texas Rangers in 2022 and the Chicago White Sox in 2023 — he didn't make it. Even though he started in the minors, he clawed his way back to the majors, adding new teams to his collection.
Marisnick, 32, has been a part of 13 organizations, including the Angels, and he's been in the majors with nine teams. Last season he hit .225 with a .662 OPS in 42 games, split between the White Sox, Detroit Tigers and Dodgers.
His frequent uniform changes are likely why he doesn't seem to be thinking too much about the fact that there's no clear way for him to make the Angels roster, despite hitting .409 with two homers through his first 22 at-bats this spring.
“At the end of the day, you don't focus on (the roster),” Marisnick said. “You focus on fine-tuning your game, getting ready for the season. You can't look over your shoulder. You look forward. You just stay in the moment.”
Marisnick said he's been working in particular on bunting for hits and stealing bases. He's reached on one bunt single and he has five stolen bases this spring.
“He's been doing a great job,” manager Ron Washington said. “He's hitting some bombs and running the bases, playing some defense. He's been doing exactly what he needs to do. His spring training has been impressive.”
The Angels, though, have a crowded outfield situation at the moment. Center fielder Mike Trout and left fielder Taylor Ward seem to be set for everyday jobs. The Angels have Mickey Moniak, Jo Adell and Aaron Hicks to fight for the remaining playing time. Moniak and Adell are both out of options, and all three players are currently on the 40-man roster, while Marisnick would need to be added.
Marisnick will have the option of electing free agency if the Angels haven't added him to the roster by March 24, which is five days before opening day. Marisnick, a native of Riverside, could also opt to stick around and bide his time at Triple-A Salt Lake to see if a later opportunity arises with the Angels.
“I'm just looking to get myself ready for a full season,” Marisnick said. “You can't control any decisions that are made. I can just go out and play and try to improve my game.”
Zuñiga impresses
Right-hander Guillo Zuñiga has put himself squarely in the competition for a spot on the opening day roster with his showing so far this spring.
Zuñiga has allowed one earned run in 5-2/3 innings, but more significantly he's got eight strikeouts with no walks. He's scheduled to pitch again today.
The Angels picked up Zuñiga in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, for cash considerations. Zuñiga, 24, pitched in just two games with the Cardinals last season. In Triple-A, though, he had a 7.63 ERA, with 20 walks in 30-2/3 innings.
“He's been doing a good job of coming in and pounding the strike zone,” Washington said. “He's been impressive. Just like the majority of our pitchers have been impressive. It's not going to be an easy choice when we get down to the end, but at least we have choices.”
The Angels seemingly have five of the eight bullpen spots settled, barring further injuries, with closer Carlos Estévez, left-hander Matt Moore and right-handers Luis Garcia, Adam Cimber and José Cisnero. Right-hander Robert Stephenson, who has been slowed this spring by a shoulder injury, will be in the bullpen as long as he can get enough innings in the spring to be ready. Left-hander José Suarez, who is out of options, would seem to be a lock for the long relief spot.
Right-hander José Soriano, who was seemingly a lock for the bullpen, is now working as a starter. Right-hander Andrew Wantz is also starting now.
That leaves right-handers Ben Joyce, Hunter Strickland, Zuñiga and left-hander Drew Pomeranz as the most likely candidates for the final spot. Strickland and Pomeranz are not on the 40-man roster.
Also
Third baseman Anthony Rendon (groin) returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing a week. Washington said Rendon will DH on Monday. The team has a scheduled off day on Tuesday. Rendon will then play third Wednesday, DH on Thursday and return to third on Friday, Washington said. …
Right-hander Caden Dana, the Angels' top pitching prospect, is scheduled to start the Angels spring breakout game next Saturday. The seven-inning game matches some of the top prospects from the Angels and Dodgers. All 30 teams will play similar prospect games over the weekend.
ANGELS GAME REPORT
PITCHING:
HITTING:
Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval) vs. Rangers (RHP Nathan Eovaldi) at Tempe Diablo Stadium, today, 1:10p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM.
THE GAME: The Angels scored five runs in the sixth inning to overcome a four-run deficit, beating the Padres 5-4 on Sunday in Tempe, Ariz.
Right-hander Chase Silseth gave up one run in four innings, making him the first Angels pitcher this spring to finish four innings. He allowed a run without a hit in the first inning, when he walked a batter and hit a batter. “Rough couple batters there in the first,” Silseth said. “I settled in, started throwing it through the zone… Got that little feel and took it for the rest of the ballgame.” After that he retired nine out of 10hitters, giving up one hit. Silseth, who had been scheduled for 55 pitches, was so efficient he had to throw another 15 in the bullpen after finishing in the game. Silseth, however, again saw his velocity drop slightly during his outing, from 96mph in the first inning to 93mph in the fourth. Silseth has allowed one run in 8 1/3 innings this spring.… Right-hander Victor Mederos, who hadn't allowed a run in his first six innings this spring, gave up three runs in 2 2/3 innings. He worked a scoreless fifth. He gave up three in the sixth, getting pulled with two outs. He re-entered for the seventh and added a perfect inning… Luis Garcia, who recorded the final out of the sixth inning, ended up getting credit for the victory… Closer Carlos Estévez worked a perfect ninth to pick up the save. It was the first time this spring that Estévez had been used in a save situation.
Brandon Drury hit his first homer of the spring, a two-run shot that gave capped a five-run sixth inning to give the Angels their first lead of the game. The Angels had a single, double, triple and homer in the inning… Mike Trout started the inning with a bloop triple. The ball was a popup that dropped just beyond the reach of the diving right fielder. Trout, who struck out in his other two trips, is 6 for 29 (.207) this spring… Aaron Hicks yanked a two-run double into right field. Livan Soto scored from first on the play, sliding just under the tag… Earlier in the game, Luis Rengifo lined a single into center field and he doubled. They were hit first two hits of the spring. Rengifo, who is now 2 for 11, got a late start because of a hamstring issue… Anthony Rendon grounded out twice in his first game after missing a week because of groin tightness.
UP NEXT:
— Jeff Fletcher