The Angels announced multiple moves ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Rangers. First baseman Nolan Schanuel is heading to the 10-day IL with a right intercostal strain. Outfielder Wade Meckler was placed on the 7-day concussion IL. Outfielder Gustavo Campero and infielder Christian Moore were recalled to replace Schanuel and Meckler.
Schanuel and Meckler were both on the bench yesterday. It wasn’t overly surprising to see them sit against tough lefty MacKenzie Gore, but now the injuries have been revealed. Meckler was pulled from Thursday’s game after Astros reliever Bryan King hit him in the head with a pitch. Schanuel was removed in the sixth inning of that game. He told reporters he felt something in his last at-bat.
“Thankfully it’s not an oblique,” Schanuel said, relayed by Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. “It’s like an intercostal strain, the muscle in between my ribs. I’ve never had anything like that, so kind of just leaving it to the trainers and trying to get back on the field as soon as possible.”
It’s the second trip to the IL this season for Schanuel. The first baseman had a minimum stint due to left ankle inflammation in late May into early June. Schanuel initially hit well after returning, including a .818 OPS in July, but was slashing .254/.343/.356 so far in August.
Meckler has emerged as a surprise contributor for Los Angeles. He had his contract selected near the end of May. In his first MLB action since 2023, the former Giant has a 112 wRC+ across 229 plate appearances. Meckler hasn’t hit for much power, but he’s swiped six bases and gotten on base at a .360 clip. He’s also posted 2 Defensive Runs Saved in the corner outfield spots.
Moore doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors. He’s hit .302 with 11 homers and 15 steals at Triple-A Salt Lake this season. The former eighth overall pick has a 75 wRC+ in a small 59-game sample as a big leaguer. He has some runway for regular reps over the final six weeks of the season. Moore has struggled with contact at basically every level, but he trimmed his strikeout rate to 22.5% in the minors this year.
Campero was added to the 40-man roster back in June because of an opt-out clause in his contract. He was recovering from a broken hand at the time. The 28-year-old has a .618 OPS in parts of two seasons with the Angels. Campero has put together a strong minor league season, slashing .313/.389/.525 across three levels. He has experience behind the plate and has primarily played catcher this year. Campero has only appeared in the outfield during his stretches with the Angels.
Photo courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images
