Syndergaard scratched because of an illness
CHICAGO » For all the success the Angels have had on the field this season, they aren’t doing very well in the clubhouse.
Noah Syndergaard became the fourth player this season to be taken down by an illness. Syndergaard was scratched from his scheduled start on Friday against the Chicago White Sox because he was “not feeling well,” manager Joe Maddon said.
Maddon didn’t provide any further details on the nature of what was bothering Syndergaard, but he was hopeful that the righthander would be able to pitch again later in the series, which runs through Monday.
“He just didn’t feel well today coming out here, and we just had to call an audible,” Maddon said. “That’s all it is.”
The Angels have had three other players — center fielder Mike Trout, third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Brandon Marsh — miss time already in the first three weeks of the season with what the team described as a “stomach bug,” although they did not use that description with Syndergaard.
The Angels decided to have a bullpen game, starting with Jimmy Herget, on Friday night.
The rest of the series is up in the air because of Syndergaard’s condition and the weather.
Rain is predicted for the entire day today, so there’s a chance that the second game of the series would be postponed, potentially to be played as part of a doubleheader on Sunday.
Currently, José Suarez, Michael Lorenzen and Patrick Sandoval are scheduled for the final three games of the series, with Shohei Ohtani pitching the first game of the series in Boston on Tuesday.
“You want to pop (Syndergaard)
Angels slugger Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the first inning against the White Sox on Friday.
in there when he’s ready,” Maddon said. “Let’s just wait till after (today). See what happens. If he’s well and it pours (today) and we go two on Sunday, then it answers its own questions.”
There is no indication that any of the sick players tested positive for COVID-19 because none of them were removed from the roster.
Fletcher returns
Infielder David Fletcher was activated from the injured list on Friday and Jack Mayfield was optioned.
Fletcher was out with a left hip strain. He had an injection this week in Southern California before traveling with the team to Chicago. He conceded that running could still be an issue, even if hitting and fielding aren’t.
“It might be something I have to deal with, but I feel pretty good,” he said.
Fletcher returned to the lineup at shortstop, with Matt Duffy getting the start at second base. The Angels still have Andrew Velazquez and Tyler Wade, and Maddon said all four will continue to get playing time.
Fletcher is trying to bounce back offensively, after starting and finishing poorly in 2021, and beginning this season with one hit in 13 at-bats. He was 3 for 17 during his Triple-A
rehabilitation assignment.
“I think the biggest thing is just to readjust to how he’s being pitched,” Maddon said. “Fletcher actually is really good when he pulls the ball. He’s one of those guys . ... I have a lot of faith in the guy. I think he’ll figure things out. I think he’ll make any kind of adjustment necessary.”
Mayfield remained with the team as part of the taxi squad, while catcher Matt Thaiss and left-hander Kenny Rosenberg also joined the team as taxi squad members. Rosenberg could be useful as an extra arm after a bullpen game on Friday, and with the possibility of a doubleheader on Sunday.
Buttrey update
General manager Perry Minasian said the Angels are encouraged with what pitcher Ty Buttrey has shown at Triple-A. Buttrey has not allowed a run in four innings with Salt Lake.
“He’s getting better each time out,” Minasian said. “He’s gaining confidence each time out. He’s filling up the strike zone. For somebody that took some time off pitching, and now he’s back and I think he’s in a great place.”
Buttrey abruptly retired at the start of the 2021 season, and then he decided he wanted to come back toward the end of the season.