ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Angels fell to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night, but they could be getting a major reinforcement as early as tomorrow. After another day out of the lineup, Shohei Ohtani could be back in there for the Angels when they face the Guardians on Saturday. Speaking with reporters before the game, Phil Nevin said Ohtani is getting close, but it felt best to give him one more day off.

“Just gonna give him another day,” Nevin said. “Tough lefty on the mound. Obviously he’s our best either way, but just felt like if he feels good tomorrow, tomorrow would be the best day to get him back.”

When asked if Ohtani felt good following yesterday’s activities, Nevin said, “Yeah, so far. He hasn’t swung the bat at all today yet, I’m sure he will later, but not gonna do anything to aggravate it and hopefully we get him tomorrow.”

The Angels also recently lost Player of the Week Luis Rengifo, as the switch hitting utility man injured his bicep in the on-deck circle prior to his first at bat on Thursday night. Rengifo addressed the media prior to Friday’s game, and said, “I feel way better today… I have more tests to do the next couple of days, and we’ll see.”

Rengifo said the injury was unlike anything he had felt before, especially since he was just going through his usual on-deck routine that he completes before every at bat. On a possible timeline, Rengifo said it’s hard not being out there with his teammates, but he’s unable to predict at this point when he might be ready for a return.

One of the biggest bright spots in an otherwise disappointing second half for the Angels, Rengifo is working to rejoin a lineup that should also feature Shohei Ohtani very soon.