MIAMI — José Soriano is no longer just a guy who showed promise in spring training.
A day after Soriano routinely hit 100 mph in three dominant innings out of the Angels’ bullpen, the team was still excited about the prospect of having that kind of weapon.
“Him in the bullpen is definitely Kryptonite,” catcher Logan O’Hoppe said Monday. “Everyone in the bullpen brings value, but especially this guy.”
Manager Ron Washington has repeatedly said Soriano is “electric.”
The Angels had already seen Soriano. Last year, he had a 3.64 ERA in 42 innings of relief.
His four-seam fastball averaged 98.8 mph and his two-seam fastball averaged 96.6 mph. On Sunday in Baltimore, he averaged 100.4 and 98.2 with both fastballs.
Soriano said through an interpreter that the extra speed was simply the result of his workouts.
“During the offseason I worked hard on my body to get stronger and the little things I need to work on,” Soriano said.
Soriano, 25, is also another season removed from his second Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in 2021. Soriano underwent his first surgery as a member of the Angels in 2020, then he was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates picked him first. After needing another surgery, the Pirates let him go and the Angels got him back.
Now it looks like he could be a key part of the Angels’ pitching staff, but managing him could be tricky.
The Angels spent the spring trying to see what he would look like as a starter. They moved him to the bullpen to fill an immediate need on the major league roster, but he clearly still has potential as a starter. The Angels would like to keep him stretched out as much as possible, because they will inevitably need another starter.
However, gaming situations do not always present themselves in a way that allows regular and prolonged use.
Soriano threw 34 pitches Sunday. He will now be out for at least two days.
“We need to make sure we take care of him after he does this,” Washington said. “It’s a weapon, and I think he showed it yesterday.” The game will dictate how this happens. I can’t predict that.
O’HOPPE DAILY
O’Hoppe was not in the lineup Monday, allowing the Angels to start for backup catcher Matt Thaiss. With lefties starting Tuesday and Wednesday, then an off day Thursday, O’Hoppe is likely to win at least the next three games in a row.
O’Hoppe said his goal is to be one of the everyday, old-school receivers who is in the lineup more often than most receivers. Last season, only one catcher started more than 120 games: JT Realmuto of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“I want to play every day,” O’Hoppe said. “I’ll be smart about my rest.” I feel like everything has to be done behind the scenes. It’s what you do when no one is watching that can help you catch each day. This is the approach I took. It sounds cliché, but sleep, eat well, stay hydrated.
Washington said his plan is for O’Hoppe to catch “the bulk” of the games, but it’s too early in O’Hoppe’s career to know if he will be durable enough to be outstanding.
“It might take 135 or 140 games, but we’re a team and we have to give some of these guys opportunities, and we usually try to do that early in the season,” Washington said. “Let him play and he’ll figure out if he’s durable enough to do it.” I like his attitude. I have the same attitude as him.
REMARKS
Mike Trout is expected to get his first start of the year at DH on Wednesday, allowing him to bounce back after playing center field on artificial turf in the first two games of the series. …
Right-hander Kelvin Caceres will undergo season-ending surgery to treat his lateral injury. The next time the Angels need to create a spot on the 40-man roster, they can move Caceres to the 60-day injured list.
FOLLOWING
Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 6-6, 5.43 ERA in 2023) at Marlins (LHP Jesus Luzardo, 0-0, 3.60), Tuesday, 3:40 p.m., Bally Sports West, 8:30 a.m.
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