PITTSBURGH — Angels right-hander Sam Bachman was scheduled to make a rehab assignment for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday night, as the Angels’ 2021 first-round draft pick nears a return from right forearm radial nerve inflammation.
Bachman had been rehabbing at the club’s spring training complex in Tempe, Arizona and pitched in a game on Tuesday, but this will be the first time he’s appeared in a game with an Angels’ affiliate since his stint on the injured list began retroactively on Aug. 3.
“I think the progression has been positive,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said ahead of the opener of the team’s three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Getting Bachman back would be a boost to a bullpen that was reshaped at last month’s trade deadline and has posted mixed results since. The bullpen’s 2.99 FIP since the deadline leads MLB, but the relievers’ eight losses over that stretch are the second-most in the majors and their 4.53 ERA ranks 21st. There are certainly opportunities for someone like Bachman to make an impact in the late innings again, where he has picked up 17 holds and one save in 41 appearances (45⅔ innings, 4.14 ERA) this season.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel is also “progressing” with his recovery, according to Suzuki. He appears to be nearing a return to more baseball activities or potentially even game action, taking dry swings and running. He’s still in Anaheim, as planned, and not traveling with the team to begin the nine-game trip.
Schanuel was placed on the injured list on Aug. 22, two days after he suffered his right intercostal muscle strain. While no decision has been made on what his return will look like, a rehab assignment seems probable instead of a straight return to the major league lineup.
“It’s too early,” Suzuki said. “I’m assuming he’s going to need one. It hasn’t been a short time. Just to double check and make sure that everything’s fine before he really comes up and gets activated.”
JOHNSON MAKING CASE AS STARTER
Ryan Johnson has bounced between the rotation and bullpen in his brief major league career, making 14 starts and 17 relief appearances. He has had success of late as a starter, recording a 1.71 ERA over his five starts in August (26⅓ innings pitched, five earned runs). September should provide an opportunity to showcase whether he could stick in the rotation.
“I think it’s still early, but I think what he’s done with his last few starts has been very positive,” Suzuki said. “I think the evolution that he has gotten to and where he is right now has been great. We’re definitely excited for how he’s throwing the ball.”
AROUND THE BASES
Left fielder Wade Meckler was named the MLB Defensive Player of the Month for August by Sports Info Solutions. Meckler had six defensive runs saved in August and robbed two home runs. Meckler has been worth four defensive runs saved this season.
Outfielder Josh Lowe was not in the Angels’ lineup on Friday after being scratched Wednesday with neck stiffness.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Yusei Kikuchi, 0-5, 5.65 ERA) at Pirates (RHP Braxton Ashcraft, 14-5, 3.59 ERA), Saturday, 3:40 p.m., ABTV, 830 AM