Ohtani misses 6th straight game as Angels place infielder Luis Rengifo on injured list
Los Angeles Angels' Luis Rengifo, right, heads to first for a two-run home run as Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann watches during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. Credit: AP/Mark J. Terrill
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Much like wins, any optimism of players returning for Phil Nevin and the Los Angeles Angels are in short supply.
Shohei Ohtani missed his sixth straight game due to a right strained oblique as the Angels hosted the Cleveland Guardians Saturday night.
Before the game, infielder Luis Rengifo was placed on the injured list due to a season-ending rupture of his left biceps tendon. Rengifo suffered the injury while taking a swing in the on-deck circle during the first inning Thursday night.
Rengifo, who was batting .264, had been the Angels' best hitter over the past month. He was on a 14-game hitting streak along with a .443 batting average with five homers and 14 RBIs in his last 16 games.
"The first half of the season I felt a little off, but I found my rhythm," Rengifo said. “I'm a little frustrated because I want to be out there and play, but it happens. That's kind of the point where I am at now.”
Ohtani took some swings on Friday, but still didn't feel comfortable enough to be able to go at full strength in a game. Nevin said it was a questionable whether Ohtani would play on Sunday, but was hopeful for Monday's game in Seattle.
“If there’s tentativeness letting it go then you can’t bring it out into a game,” Nevin said.
Los Angeles Angels' Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout after striking out against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Credit: AP/Jeff Chiu
Center fielder Mickey Moniak missed his third straight game due to back tightness and is day-to-day according to Nevin.
Three-time AL MVP Mike Trout is doing some dry swings, while $245 million third baseman Anthony Rendon continues to ramp up his baseball activities. Trout has missed 55 games due to a left hamate fracture, while Rendon has been out for 82 games, including the last 52 due to a bruised left shin.
Los Angeles has dropped seven of its eight games in September. Its 9-26 mark since Aug. 1 is the worst in the majors.
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