Fletcher was outrighted to provide `roster flexibility'

NEW YORK ❯❯ The Angels did not make a corresponding roster move to fill David Fletcher's spot on the 40-man roster on Tuesday, which spoke volumes about their decision to outright him.

General Manager Perry Minasian, who joined the team in New York, said the move was made simply to give them “roster flexibility. It opens up a 40-man spot.”

The fact that the Angels put Fletcher through waivers when they had no apparent pressing reason to do so demonstrated that they didn't feel there was any risk of another team taking him.

Fletcher has just about $21 million left on his contract, through the 2025 season. The Cypress High and Loyola Marymount product would have voided the remaining money on his deal if he'd refused the outright and become a free agent.

Instead, Fletcher accepted the move. He'll play every day at Triple-A Salt Lake, trying to earn back the status that got him that contract in the first place.

“We still believe in David Fletcher,” Minasian said. “We know him being here and not getting every day at-bats, I don't think it's necessarily the best thing for him. So he'll go play and I expect him to be back and help this team sooner than later.”

The Angels let Fletcher know that they were removing him from the 40-man roster at the same time as they let him know they were sending him down over the weekend.

Manager Phil Nevin said it was a difficult conversation, but that Fletcher handled it well. On Tuesday, Nevin reiterated his faith that Fletcher will improve with regular playing time at Triple-A.

“He's a big part of what we've done and I think we're gonna do in the future,” Nevin said. “He's been a great Angel. Just gotta get out there and play, get back to what Fletch was.

“I realize that comes with consistent at-bats, and I told him that. Part of that's on me. He didn't play a lot. I'm the one who makes the lineup out and decides those things. I feel like I put the best guys out there at that moment, and I feel he can easily get back in the mix, without a doubt. He just needs some time playing.”

Fletcher had started just four of the Angels' 13 games before they made the move and was 2 for 16 at the plate. Fletcher slumped at the end of 2021 and struggled around a core muscle injury in 2022.

Ohtani's schedule

The Angels moved up Shohei Ohtani's next start on the mound to Friday, at home against the Kansas City Royals. Ohtani's turn would have been on Sunday, but because the weather limited his Monday outing to 31 pitches, they decided they could bring him back sooner.

“I said whenever he's available to pitch, we're going to pitch him,” Nevin said.

Nevin added that changing his schedule makes it “nicer” with regard to travel days.

Nevin also moved Ohtani in the batting order, putting him in the No. 2 spot, ahead of Mike Trout. Nevin said he thinks the two superstars are “interchangeable,” but he felt like having Ohtani in the No. 2 spot would make it slightly easier for him on days when he's pitching. He would be less likely to make the third out and then have to go to the mound.

Walsh's status

First baseman Jared Walsh, who was undergoing treatment for headaches and insomnia, has been doing baseball work in Southern California, Minasian said.

There's still no timetable for his return, but he's getting closer.

“It's better,” Minasian said of Walsh's health issues. “Is it perfect yet? No. But it's definitely better. He's made some strides. So we'll continue to work with that. Now incorporate some baseball things. At some point when he's ready, we'll send him out to play and see what happens. Jared is a big part of this team. And we know how important he is and what he brings. We'll be excited to have him back.”

Notes

Gio Urshela got his first start of the season at second base. Urshela has already started at third, shortstop and first. Urshela said he worked out at second a little in spring training, and again over the weekend in Boston . ... Catcher Chad Wallach joined the team in New York, but he was just on the taxi squad. The Angels wanted to have an extra catcher in town because Logan O'Hoppe felt a tweak in his left shoulder during Monday's game in Boston. O'Hoppe was able to finish the game and he said on Tuesday that he feels fine. ... The series at Yankee Stadium had special meaning for O'Hoppe, who grew up on Long Island and came to Yankees games regularly. When he was in high school, he caught a home run and threw the ball back onto the field. The moment was captured on television. “I remember not being able to watch the rest of the game because my phone was blowing up,” O'Hoppe said. “It was a good learning moment for today.” O'Hoppe said he had actually played at Yankee Stadium before, as a high schooler and also with the Philadelphia Phillies in an exhibition game before the COVID-shortened 2020 season. “It's not my first time here,” O'Hoppe said. “First time with a crowd.”