Angels see progress from rotation candidates on the injured list

ANAHEIM - The Angels are hoping they are approaching the day when they'll actually have some rotation choices to make again.

Before right-hander Walbert Ureña got his first chance in the No. 5 spot in the rotation on Sunday afternoon, Manager Kurt Suzuki had encouraging updates on several of the other starters who have been unavailable lately.

Right-hander Ryan Johnson, who began the season in the No. 5 spot, pitched just once before getting a viral infection, and while he was on the injured list because of the illness he tweaked his hamstring.

Apparently the hamstring issue wasn't serious, because Johnson is throwing again.

"He's planning on throwing a bullpen here soon," Suzuki said.

Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez was projected to be in the rotation before he was slowed late in the spring with what he described as a general weakness. The designation on the injured list is "shoulder inflammation."

Rodriguez has thrown three bullpen sessions in the past week and a half, including one on Friday. Suzuki said he expects him to face hitters "within the next week. Maybe we'll talk after today to see how he feels, but hopefully sooner rather than later he can face some hitters and then kind of progress, if he's feeling good, more rapidly."

Right-hander Alek Manoah, who has a finger contusion has been facing hitters in Arizona.

"The guys working with him say he's been looking great," Suzuki said. "I know the finger's feeling better, which is good."

The Angels also have a new healthy option now that Caden Dana finally made up for the time he lost when he missed the beginning of spring training with mononucleosis. Dana made his season debut on Saturday at Triple-A, pitching six innings, and allowing two runs. Dana struck out seven and didn't walk anyone.

Other than those pitchers, right-hander George Klassen and left-handers Mitch Farris and Sam Aldegheri are all healthy and pitching at Triple-A now.

Klassen had two disappointing major league starts, and Farris and Aldegheri both held their own in limited bullpen opportunities so far this season.

JOYCE UPDATE

Right-hander Ben Joyce is set to face hitters again in the coming days.

"He's chomping at the bit," Suzuki said. "I'm texting him and he's texting, ‘I'm ready to go, man. I can't wait.' It's OK, settle down. It's good to hear him excited, positive with how he's feeling and all that stuff, so we're excited."

Joyce only pitched 4⅓ innings last season and then he had shoulder surgery, so the Angels are taking an extremely conservative approach to his rehab.

NOTES

Jorge Soler returned to the Angels' lineup after the end of his four-game suspension. The Angels were 2-2 without him. …

Right-hander Tyler Bremner, the Angels' top prospect, struck out 10 in five innings in his third professional start on Saturday night. Pitching at Class-A Tri-City, Bremner has an 0.77 ERA with 20 strikeouts and four walks in his first 11⅔ innings. …

Sunday was the 60th anniversary of the first game at Angel Stadium. The Angels will wear a commemorative patch for the remainder of the homestand.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays (RHP Dylan Cease, 0-0, 1.74 ERA) at Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 1-1, 3.57 ERA), Monday, 6:38 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network, 830 AM

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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 12:52 PM.