The July 18th, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Peter Bourjos placed on the DL, Fernando Rodney gets off to a rough start in rehab, Angels targeting left-handed hitters via trade and much more…
The Story: Peter Bourjos was placed on the DL and Alexi Amarista was called up to take his place.
The Monkey Says: Speedy Petey just finished saying he would be good to go this weekend but he apparently jinxed it because his hammy tightened up during some sprint drills. That will likely mean that Bourjos won’t be available again until next weekend. You know what that means? More Mike Trout for us!
The Story: Fernando Rodney got roughed up in his first rehab appearance this weekend.
The Monkey Says: He gets roughed up a lot in the majors, so I guess this means he’s ready, right?
The Story: The Angels are targeting left-handed hitters on the trade market.
The Monkey Says: We kind of knew this, but confirmation is always nice. The big problem with this tactic though is that it will make it even harder to find a lefty that would actually have a spot to play.
The Story: Assessing Vernon Wells’ first half season.
The Monkey Says: I certainly feel more educated about Wells, but I also feel a lot worse about his chances of having a bounceback second half.
The Story: Angel prospect Daniel Hurtado pitched a no-hitter in the Domincan Summer League.
The Monkey Says: I don’t know much about him as a prospect, but this certainly suggests he’s at least got a little something going for him, even if it did take place at the lowest level of minor league ball.
The Story: Mike Scioscia is very impressed with Mike Trout thus far.
The Monkey Says: Trout’s stats aren’t very good right now, but his tools continue to be evident. I still don’t think he is going to hang around once Bourjos gets healthy, but the fact that he is making this kind of impression on Scioscia bodes very well for his chances of starting the year with the Angels in 2012.
The Story: Erick Aybar is evolving into an elite shortstop.
The Monkey Says: He’s having a nice season, but let’s not get carried away with the “elite” stuff. What he has done though is improved himself enough to prove that the Halos would be wise to invest in him being their starting shorstop for the next several years.