Sano returns to Angels, Rendon getting close

ANAHEIM, Calif. — After suffering a setback in his recovery for what seemed like a minor injury, Miguel Sano was called up Tuesday to the Angels for the first time since April 26.

Sano hit the injured list with a leg injury and was on a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League when he burned his knee with a heating pad May 23.

He returned from the burn injury June 8 and has played 14 games since, five with the ACL Angels and nine with the Salt Lake Bees.

"I was swinging pretty well. I was feeling great over the last four games," Sano said through an interpreter. "I think I'm better than how I started here."

He had been healthy recently, but Angels manager Ron Washington said last weekend that the roster was full and there wasn't a spot for Sano.

Sano's performance over the weekend was excellent and prompted the call up. He went 6 for 10 with a triple and three RBIs over his last two games in Triple-A.

"All of the sudden the big boy started really swinging the bat and running the bases down there and doing some good things," Washington said. "We certainly can use some pop until we get our pop back in this lineup. We got good reports that said he was ready to go, so we made the move."

Sano was not in the lineup Tuesday, but said he is ready to play every day and at any position he is needed.

"Anywhere. Outfield, pitching, catching, whatever," Sano said. "I just want to play. I want to be in the lineup."

Infielder Michael Stefanic was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in the corresponding roster move.

Rendon close to returning

Anthony Rendon has been at the stadium the past few weeks gradually increasing his workload after suffering a partial tear of the hamstring in April.

The third baseman ran the bases Monday and completed a full workout Tuesday that consisted of riding the stationary bike, running the bases and taking batting practice.

Washington said the next step for Rendon is to face live pitching and he may do so this weekend in Anaheim.

"We are going to try to set something up for him to get some live pitching," Washington said. "We still haven't got an answer from him if he's going to go out on rehab or not, but we want to see some live pitching. Probably by the weekend and it will be closed to the public."

Rendon declined to speak with reporters after batting practice Tuesday.

Trout getting 'excited'

Washington said that Mike Trout was in a better mood than he had been in recent weeks Tuesday and may begin baseball activities soon.

"He was real excited when I walked in and told me, 'Skip, I'm about there,' where he can get out and start doing things," Washington said. "He's in a better mood than the last week or so when he said he was getting discomfort.

"I think he's starting to get past that discomfort. Once we see him on the field doing some things, we know it's not too far away."

Drury suffers setback

Brandon Drury returned from the injured list on June 17, played two games and has been sidelined with an upper respiratory infection.

Washington told media Monday that Drury would undergo a full workout Monday to see how he felt.

"He came in today and he had a little setback," Washington said. "Last night he didn't have a very good night.

"We all got this stuff but it seems like it's hitting him harder than anybody.

Contreras to start

The Angels had a vacancy in their starting rotation Wednesday after Patrick Sandoval hit the injured list with a torn UCL. Relief pitcher Roansy Contreras will make his first start of the season Wednesday.

"Hopefully we can get four or five innings out of him," Washington said. "The last few times that we brought him in he's been pounding the strike zone and the breaking ball has been good."

Contreras has pitched 13.2 innings for the Angels in nine appearances out of the bullpen with 13 strikeouts. He made 11 starts in 2023 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and 18 starts in 2022.

Dana promoted to top 100

Angels top prospect Caden Dana was promoted to MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospect list after the graduation of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.

The 6-foot-4 pitcher has struck out 79 in 75 1/3 innings for the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Double-A.

Dana spoke with Taylor Blake Ward of The Sporting Tribune last week.