ANAHEIM -- Angels third baseman Yoán Moncada is nearing a return. He began a rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire on Saturday.
Additionally, the Angels shuffled their bullpen before Saturday night’s game against the Tigers, calling up right-handers Touki Toussaint and Michael Darrell-Hicks while lefty Jake Eder was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and lefty Garrett McDaniels landed on the 15-day injured list with left biceps tendinitis.
Moncada, who was placed on the 10-day injured list with a bruised right thumb on April 10, started at third base and went 0-for-2 with two walks against Lake Elsinore. Angels manager Ron Washington said he’s hoping Moncada will return soon and provide a much-needed boost to the lineup.
“It would be awesome to have his presence back,” Washington said. “We’re forcing him to play nine innings tonight. And I certainly hope he makes it through.”
Moncada, who signed a one-year deal worth $5 million in the offseason, had a slash line of .190/.370/.286, with two doubles and four RBIs in eight games before going on the IL. The Angels could use his ability to get on base, as their .268 on-base percentage entering Saturday ranked last in the Majors. He also would provide an upgrade defensively, as Luis Rengifo has struggled at third base and is better at second.
Washington said there’s no exact timetable for when Moncada will return but he has been fielding grounders and hitting from the right side for several weeks. His last step is hitting from the left side, as that was what bothered his thumb. He originally injured his thumb in Spring Training and tried to play through the injury before suffering a setback on April 4. He played again on April 9 but left after striking out in his lone at-bat and was placed on the IL on April 10.
Moncada is a career .254/.332/.423 hitter in 10 seasons but was limited to 12 games with the White Sox last year because of a left adductor strain. Washington said the Angels will take his rehab assignment day to day. He also could move up to Salt Lake before returning.
“It just depends on how he feels,” Washington said. “When he makes it through today, we’ll give him a chance again tomorrow to see if everything is well. And then we'll just make a decision after tomorrow on how much longer he needs to stay.”
Washington also said the Angels needed fresh arms, which is why Toussaint had his contract selected from Salt Lake and Darrell-Hicks was recalled. Toussaint, who had a 4.62 ERA in 25 1/3 innings with the Angels in ’22, had a 5.32 ERA with 19 strikeouts and 14 walks in 22 innings with Salt Lake this year. Toussaint, 28, has a career 5.39 ERA in seven MLB seasons.
Darrell-Hicks had a 6.75 ERA in 6 2/3 innings with the Angels in April but rolled off 4 2/3 scoreless innings after scuffling in his first two outings. The 27-year-old had a 6.75 ERA with 10 strikeouts and five walks in 10 2/3 innings at Triple-A.
“Darrell-Hicks, for me, he was impressive,” Washington said. “And we certainly needed him to be back here, because we need some innings. And Touki, I had him in Texas, I had him in Atlanta, and Touki is a competitor. He can give us some length, and that's why he's here. And I hope he comes here with his veteran presence, and doesn’t go back, because he’s got some weapons that can help us.”
Eder, whose contract was purchased from the White Sox on March 30, was sent down after posting a 7.71 ERA in three appearances, including allowing two runs and recording one out in Friday's 9-1 loss.
McDaniels, a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Dodgers who must stay on the roster all season, had a 5.91 ERA in 10 2/3 innings, including allowing three runs in one inning in Thursday’s 10-4 loss. The 25-year-old pitched with diminished velocity and told the training staff about his discomfort.
“It’s just something that recently came up, and he wanted to try to pitch through it, but we’re trying to protect him,” Washington said. “He's still a baby. I don't think he would know how to go out there and pitch with a little bit of pain. He felt pain, so we’re shutting him down.”