ANAHEIM — The discomfort comes and goes, although Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel would prefer to discuss turning a corner instead of delving into reasons for his slow start.
An ankle injury during the first series in April against the Seattle Mariners derailed Schanuel from a hot start that was highlighted by a five-game hitting streak to open the season.
Saying he is much improved now, Schanuel feels optimistic he will be ready to resume that productive 7-for-20 run he had to begin the campaign.
“I was playing through some stuff,” said Schanuel, who entered Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays batting .226 with a .635 OPS, both of which are well below his career norms. “Unfortunately, the swing was kind of affected by it as well, so I’m just grinding through that. I’m feeling a lot better now and working it out.”
He had hits in three of the first four games of the homestand, including his first three-hit game of the season on Friday against the San Diego Padres. He added a double and a run scored in Monday’s series opener against the Blue Jays.
“I know there are a couple of different mechanical things the hitting guys have been working on with Nolan,” Manager Kurt Suzuki said. “But Nolan is a smart guy. He knows what he is doing. He understands his swing. And even at the highest level, sometimes you need a different perspective to click back into the zone again.”
Even with his ankle soreness, Schanuel has played in all but one inning this season, when Bryce Teodosio ran for him in the eighth inning on Saturday.
“I know sometimes (the ankle) flares up a little bit and I know it doesn’t feel good,” Suzuki said. “It depends on how much he runs. But I think, for the most part, it’s fine. He always tells me he’s fine, which I don’t expect anything different.”
Tuesday looked like a good time to give Schanuel a break against Blue Jays left-handed starter Patrick Corbin, but he was in the lineup once again. He was dropped to sixth in the order for just the third time this season. It was just the fourth time he was not batting third.
“I like to grind,” Schanuel said. “I want to play as many games as possible, even with the body not feeling the best. I just love to be out there, help the team, and I know they’ve got my back, so I’ve got theirs.”
Schanuel is anxious to be a key contributor to an offense that entered Tuesday’s game fourth in the American League in slugging percentage (.390), third in OPS (.721) and first in home runs (34).
He plays a power-premium position, and while he is known to reach the seats at times, he has never hit more than 13 home runs in a season. But there are other ways to contribute to the collective slugging percentage.
“When the opportunity kind of arises itself and I need to show some power, or when I get a good pitch to hit, then maybe it shows off,” Schanuel said of his home run swing. “Or maybe (power) shows off in another standpoint where I hit more doubles than homers. Hopefully it turns out where I hit maybe 30-something doubles and 15 homers this year. (But) if I’m helping the team win by getting on base more, then that’s what I’ve got to do.”
MAKING PROGRESS
Right-hander Alek Manoah, who has yet to make his Angels debut because of a right middle finger contusion, could go on a minor league rehab assignment within the week.
Manoah just simulated a four-inning outing, which is believed to be the last step before appearing in a game. Suzuki said the club has not yet picked an affiliate for the outing.
The 28-year-old has not appeared in a major league game since May of 2024 as a member of the Blue Jays after he underwent UCL surgery. The Angels signed him to a major league deal in December.
“I talk to him pretty consistently and he said he’s feeling great and he can’t wait (to pitch in a game),” Suzuki said. “I like the progress that he’s making.”
Manoah was 29-20 with a 3.34 ERA in four seasons with the Blue Jays and had 412 strikeouts over 420 innings.
Suzuki also said that right-hander Grayson Rodriguez came out of his session against live hitters on Monday feeling good and could pitch to hitters again as early as the weekend. Rodriguez was acquired in the November trade that sent outfielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles.
PLAN IN PROGRESS
After an impressive start on Sunday, the Angels are still deciding if 22-year-old right-hander Walbert Ureña will remain in the rotation.
Ureña gave up two runs on four hits over six innings with eight strikeouts against the Padres, in a game the Angels ultimately lost 2-1.
“We’ll see how the schedule plays out,” Suzuki said.
The Dominican Republic native made his debut in the organization at 18 in the Arizona Complex League. In 80 appearances (77 starts) in the club’s system, he is 15-27 with a 4.67 ERA. He made his major league debut in March with a pair of relief outings.
NOTE
Mike Trout made his 1,366th career start in center field for the Angels, tying shortstop Jim Fregosi for the most games played at a single position in franchise history.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays (LHP Eric Lauer, 1-3, 7.13 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jose Soriano, 5-0, 0.28 ERA), Wednesday, 12:07 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network, 830 AM