Angels hope Quintana can benefit from change.
ANAHEIM » The Angels are optimistic that a small tweak can help José Quintana reverse the disturbing trend from his first couple starts.
The veteran left-hander decided over the winter to move more toward the third base side of the rubber, but in the time since his last start on April 10 he and the Angels decided to shift back to the first base side.
He will get to test it out today, when he starts the final game of the series against the Texas Rangers.
“We give these guys the information, because we want them to buy in and he made the decision on his own,” pitching coach Matt Wise said. “Sliding back over to the first base side makes it easier to command the breaking ball. And his fastball we think plays a little bit better over there. So he bought in. He was pretty excited about it when he’s has been getting off the mound recently.”
Quintana was one of the Angels most pleasant surprises of the spring, allowing just one earned run in 14 innings, with 15 strikeouts. He still had eight walks in the spring, though, which was perhaps a red flag for what would come when the season began.
In two regular-season starts, Quintana has allowed 11 runs (nine earned) in just five innings. He has issued seven walks.
Quintana made the change on the rubber last week, but his start against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday was postponed by the Twins COVID-19 issues. Although it’s been 10 days since he’s pitched in a game, he has thrown in the bullpen and he faced hitters in a workout on Sunday.
“It looks great,” Wise said.
“The fastball starts cutting a little bit when he goes to his glove side. The breaking ball is more consistent in the zone. That’s the thing we’re really really keeping an eye on. The good thing is his changeup is just as good from that side. So we’re really excited about it. He was excited about it.”
Rendon update
Anthony Rendon continued to increase his baseball workouts on Tuesday, as he moves closer to a return from the injured list. Rendon, who hurt his groin on a throw on April 10, won’t be ready when he’s eligible today, but manager Joe Maddon is encouraged that he’s close.
“He’s passing all the tests, doing much better,” Maddon said. “Again, I don’t know the end date yet, but continuing to make improvements. Anthony gave me the thumbs up himself. Told me not to listen to the trainer, that kind of stuff. So I know he’s doing better.”
Trust in Rengifo
Maddon could have used Scott Schebler to pinch-hit for Luis Rengifo in the ninth inning on Monday night, with the potential tying run on base, but he allowed Rengifo to hit. He grounded out to end the game.
Maddon said he wanted to show confidence in Rengifo, who had made two errors earlier in the game. In fact, he said he mentioned to Rengifo that he was going to get the winning hit.
“It was a great moment be able to vindicate what had happened during the course of the game,” Maddon said. “With a young man like that, when it’s early it’s early in the year I think it’s wise to continue to give them opportunity. And as you get later in the year and it’s just a different ballgame, literally completely, then you might do something differently had he been struggling.”