Freese breaks finger in win
A 5-2 win over Minnesota on Wednesday night proved costly for the Angels, who lost David Freese to a fractured right index finger, an injury that will sideline the third baseman for several weeks, and center fielder Daniel Robertson to right shoulder stiffness, an injury that is not serious.
Freese, who is hitting .240 with 11 homers and 43 runs batted in, was hit in the hand bya Mike Pelfrey fastball in the fourth inning and replaced by Taylor Featherston. Initial X-rays showed a non-displaced fracture. The finger will remain in a splint for two weeks, and Freese hopes to return in three weeks.
While he is away, “I’ll be one heck of a cheerleader,” said Freese, who will go on the disabled list Thursday.
The Angels probably will replace Freese with Kyle Kubitza, who is batting .276 with four homers, 33 doubles and 32 runs batted in at triple-A Salt Lake. Kubitza played 12 games for the Angels in June, hitting .207.
Robertson injured his shoulder crashing into the wall to catch Trevor Plouffe’s fourth-inning drive and was replaced in the seventh by Mike Trout, who began the game at designated hitter. Trout returned after missing a game for the first time season because of a left heel injury Tuesday and went hitless in four at-bats.
Johnny Giavotella and Kole Calhoun combined for six hits, three runs and two runs batted in, and Chris Iannetta homered and singled to raise his average to .205, the first time since opening day he has been above .200. The Angels have won 17 of 20 games, outscoring opponents, 113-45.
Sixth man
With Sunday’s rainout requiring two pitchers for Monday’s doubleheader against Boston, the Angels will need a sixth starter Friday night against Texas. It appears right-hander Nick Tropeano, who was scratched from Wednesday’s triple-A start, will get the nod.
Up next
Garrett Richards (10-6, 3.24 ERA) will oppose Minnesota’s Ervin Santana (1-0, 3.66 ERA) at Angel Stadium on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. TV: FS West; Radio: 830, 1330.