Fletcher might need hip surgery

David Fletcher was put on the 15-day injured list because of a left hip strain Sunday, and there is a chance the Angels infielder will need surgery that would sideline him for several weeks.

Fletcher, who missed three weeks in April because of the same injury, said he will fly to Philadelphia on Monday to see a specialist.

Asked before the Angels’ 5-4 win over the Washington Nationals whether surgery were an option, Fletcher said, “Yeah, I think it’s on the table.” But Fletcher is confident that any surgery to repair the hip would not be season-ending.

“I still don’t know exactly what we’re gonna do,” said Fletcher, who is in the second year of a five-year, $26-million contract he signed before last season. “But I don’t think [I would be out for] too long.”

Fletcher said he suffered the injury in spring training. He opened the season as the team’s shortstop but played in only five games before going on the injured list.

— Mike DiGiovanna

Etc.

The Chicago Cubs scratched Marcus Stroman before their 7-1 loss to the Dodgers, then lost fill-in Justin Steele to a hand injury. Stroman was put on the injured list without a designation, likely meaning the right-hander was shelved by a COVID-related issue. Steele stepped in, but the lefthander departed before the fifth inning because of thumb soreness. ... The New York Mets released second baseman Robinson Cano a week after he was designated for assignment. … Philadelphia put right-handers Zack Wheeler and Zach Ef lin on the COVID IL . ... Arizona called up outfielder Alek Thomas, its top prospect.