Angels Get Stretched Even Thinner At Catcher As d’Arnaud Heads To IL With Foot Injury

Angels Get Stretched Even Thinner At Catcher As d’Arnaud Heads To IL With Foot Injury

The Los Angels Angels don’t have a lot of depth behind the plan with Logan O’Hoppe already on the IL, and he’ll now be joined by veteran backup Travis d’Arnaud, who was placed on the 10-day IL with plantar fasciitis in his right foot according to a report by Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.

The timing is unfortunate given that d’Arnaud had just hit a key three-run homer in his last start, and the Angels called up Sebastian Rivero, a 27-year old backup who has spent parts of his four year career behind the plate with Angels and the Kansas City Royals.

“It’s definitely not ideal to have both of your catchers that you started the season with on the IL,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “But at the same time, it is what it is. You got to figure out a way. Luckily, we’ve got two guys that can really catch and it's our job as coaches to help guide them and help them be the best they can be.”

O’Hoppe made the trip to Toronto with the Angels, and he’s progressed to hitting on the field and working defensively with a catching machine, according to Bollinger, but he still needs to catch some bullpens and hit higher-velocity pitching before he can return to the lineup.

d’Arnaud sustained the injury while trying to avoid a tag at first while running out a ground ball, and Suzuki said he wasn’t sure if the injury was a full tear. He also didn’t know how long the backup catcher will be out.

“It definitely wasn't good when it happened,” Suzuki said. “I know he’s still a little bit sore. It’s unfortunate because he was swinging the bat and playing really well. So, pretty bummed for him, but he seemed like he was in good spirits when I texted him back and forth. So time will tell and we’ll see how he recovers.”