Angels place Chase Silseth on the injured list, move José Soriano into rotation – Orange County Register

ANAHEIM — Chase Silseth was in that awkward waiting phase Monday, after getting an MRI but before learning what it showed.

“Anytime there’s something with the elbow, I worry,” the Angels right-hander said. “Anytime an injury happens, you want to be early.”

The Angels placed Silseth on injured reserve Monday, a day after allowing three runs in five innings in a 12-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Silseth was diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow while awaiting the results of the MRI scan.

Silseth’s speed went from about 95 mph in the first inning to 92 mph in the fifth inning on Sunday, but he said after the game that he didn’t think about it at all. He said he was “trying to work some things out.”

On Monday, Silseth said he felt something during the game, but it wasn’t enough to raise any alarms.

“I felt it on a few breaking balls, but I didn’t think anything of it because it happens at the plate,” he said. “They’re good throws when I throw them. I didn’t really think about anything. I was just thinking about normal things. Then I came here (the clubhouse) and did my stuff and it wouldn’t go away after I did everything. So I brought it up, just to be sure.

In the meantime, the Angels will replace Silseth in the rotation with right-hander José Soriano. Soriano will start Wednesday, giving Griffin Canning two extra days. Canning will now begin Friday in Boston.

Soriano was a reliever last season, but he showed enough potential for the Angels to give him a try in the rotation this spring. Even though Soriano did well, the Angels still felt it was best to start the season with him in the major league bullpen, working multiple innings to stay stretched out at first.

Soriano pitched three dominant innings in his first game, then allowed three runs in three innings in his second game. His fastball regularly reaches 101 mph.

Soriano was extended to 60 pitches in spring training and he threw 43 pitches on Friday.

“We’re just going to put him out there until he can’t go anymore,” manager Ron Washington said. “That doesn’t mean he’s going to get to 100 pitches. With this opportunity, I think he will be more consistent in the strike zone. The problem he had last time was that he couldn’t land his side stuff. If he starts to succeed in his secondary stuff, he’s the type of guy who gets quick outs, so he could be in the eighth.

As for Canning, his fastball velocity is down about 2 mph from last year in his two starts. Canning said he felt good.

“It won’t hurt to give Canning an extra day,” Washington said.

The Angels also placed right-hander Guillo Zuñiga on injured reserve with a right pectoral strain.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Washington said. “He felt something and the doctors felt that was what he needed.”

The Angels called up right-handers Hunter Strickland and Carson Fulmer to take Silseth and Zuñiga’s spots. Both are capable of throwing multiple innings.

For Strickland, it represents a return to the majors for the first time since 2022. He was released by the Triple-A Cincinnati Reds early last season, and spent the rest of the year thinking his career was over. He was coaching kids and decided to try again.

“I kind of lit a fire and realized I could still do this,” Strickland said Monday. “There was a feeling of unfinished business in my heart. I see the game differently now. I’m not trying to force results. Force things to happen and I love the game like those kids I coached.

The Angels opened a 40-man roster for Fulmer and Strickland by designating Livan Soto and Zach Plesac for assignment. Plesac is unlikely to be claimed because he has a $1 million guaranteed contract. Soto was claimed over the winter by the Baltimore Orioles, who were on the end of the waiver order, so he could also be released.

REMARKS

Reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder inflammation) will begin live batting practice Tuesday. He is expected to undergo rehabilitation and return to the majors by the end of April. …

Right-hander Andrew Wantz was the Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week. Wantz struck out 11 in six innings last Thursday. …

First baseman Nolan Schanuel was not in the lineup Monday. Schanuel started the season 2-for-27. “Just to give the young kid a break,” Washington said. “I don’t want him to put pressure on me. I don’t want him to get to the point where he thinks we don’t trust him.

FOLLOWING

Rays (RHP Aaron Civale, 1-1, 1.50 ERA) at Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 1-1, 6.14), Tuesday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 8:30 a.m.