ANAHEIM -- Angels top prospect Christian Moore, who has been out since July 2 with a left thumb sprain after a diving play at second base in Atlanta, is nearing a return from the injured list.
Moore, ranked as the No. 46 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, played seven innings at second base and went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk to begin his rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire on Wednesday.
Moore played in his third rehab game on Friday night, going the full nine innings for the first time. He went 0-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout.
“First two games, didn’t miss a beat offensively,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “Made all the plays on defense, couple walks, couple base hits. He’s playing well. Now granted, it’s A-ball and he’s on a rehab assignment, but it’s just encouraging. He’s come out of them comfortably each night.”
Montgomery said the plan is for Moore to DH in his next rehab game on Saturday, but the timeline for his return beyond that is unclear.
Moore, 22, was called up for the first time in his career on June 13 and hit .189/.302/.396 with three homers, a triple and eight RBIs in 18 games before landing on the injured list. Moore, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 Draft, had a flair for the dramatic, including tripling for his first hit at Yankee Stadium on June 16 and hitting two homers, including a walk-off blast against the Red Sox on June 24.
With Moore out of action, Luis Rengifo has been seeing most of the time at second base, especially since Yoán Moncada returned from the injured list on July 8 and has been seeing regular time at third base.
The Angels acted as buyers on Wednesday, acquiring relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García from the Nationals for lefty Jake Eder and Double-A first baseman Sam Brown. But they could still look to move Rengifo or Moncada if they get the right offer because both are impending free agents. Moore is expected to be the starting second baseman when he returns.
njured list on July 8 and has been seeing regular time at third base.
The Angels acted as buyers on Wednesday, acquiring relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García from the Nationals for lefty Jake Eder and Double-A first baseman Sam Brown. But they could still look to move Rengifo or Moncada if they get the right offer because both are impending free agents. Moore is expected to be the starting second baseman when he returns.