Angels' David Fletcher: Leaves with hamstring tightness
Rotowire
Fletcher left Tuesday's game for Triple-A Salt Lake with hamstring tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
There was some thought that Fletcher might have been pulled in anticipation of a return to the big-league club, but instead the shortstop exited with the hamstring injury. Fletcher should be considered day-to-day, and he would have to be added back to the 40-man roster if the Angels were to bring him back to the active roster this summer.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Outrighted off 40-man roster
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The Angels outrighted Fletcher to Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Fletcher remains with the organization after clearing waivers but is off the Angels' 40-man roster. The infielder was sent down to Salt Lake to make room for top prospect Zach Neto on Saturday, and the Angels are still on the hook for the remainder of the five-year, $24.5 million extension Fletcher signed with the team in April 2021.
Fletcher was optioned Saturday to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Fletcher is in the middle of a five-year extension and earning $6 million this season, but the Angels will try to get him right on the farm after he went just 2-for-16 (.125) out of the gate this year. Zach Neto has been called up all the way from Double-A Rocket City in a corresponding move.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Hitting ninth at SS
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Fletcher is hitting ninth and playing shortstop for Tuesday's game against Seattle, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
With Anthony Rendon serving the second game of his suspension, Luis Rengifo moves over to third base and Fletcher gets the start at shortstop against Luis Castillo.
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Angels' David Fletcher: In Sunday's lineup
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Fletcher (abdomen) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth Sunday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
The 28-year-old dealt with an abdominal injury late in spring training and will make his first start of the season in Sunday's series finale. Fletcher appears to be fully recovered from the injury and should see occasional starts while serving as a reserve infielder this year.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Out of lineup again Tuesday
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Fletcher (abdomen) remains out of the Angels' starting lineup for Tuesday night's Freeway Series game against the Dodgers.
Fletcher came down with some abdominal tightness over the weekend and hasn't played in a live game since last Friday, but he did say he should be available off the bench in Tuesday's exhibition finale at Angel Stadium. That would put him on track to be ready for Opening Day. The 28-year-old projects to operate as an active utility infielder this year in Anaheim.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Available to play Monday
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Fletcher (abdomen) is listed as an available bench option for Monday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
The Angels haven't confirmed whether Fletcher will make an appearance in the first game of their two-game Freeway Series with the Dodgers to close out spring training, but the 28-year-old's inclusion on the lineup card is an indication that he should be good to go for Thursday's season opener in Oakland. Fletcher, who was scratched ahead of Saturday's game against the Cubs with abdominal tightness, is batting .227 over 22 at-bats this spring.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Scratched with abdominal tightness
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Fletcher was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs due to abdominal tightness, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Angels called Fletcher's absence precautionary, so he seemingly still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day, but the timing means that even a modest setback could send him to the injured list. When healthy, Fletcher lines up with an uncertain role in a middle-infield group that's full of capable but largely unexciting options, including Brandon Drury, Luis Rengifo and Gio Urshela.
Fletcher (hand) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Fletcher spent just over the minimum of 10 days on the injured list with a bone bruise in his hand, but he resumed swinging recently and has been cleared for game action for the final few days of the regular season. The 28-year-old is starting Thursday against Oakland and should see plenty of playing time for the Angels over the next week.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Taking swings
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Fletcher (hand) has been able to resume taking swings, per the Associated Press.
Fletcher went on the 10-day injured Sept. 17 despite a CT scan on his hand coming back negative. He was struggling to swing the bat before going on the IL, but he appears to be doing better. Should Fletcher continue to make progress, he could return as early as Tuesday for a home series against Oakland.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Headed to injured list
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Fletcher (hand) will be placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
Fletcher was hit by a pitch on his hand last Saturday and underwent a CT scan Friday that came back negative. He's believed to be dealing with a bone bruise, but the Angels hope he'll be cleared to return following a minimal IL stint. If that's the case, Fletcher would have a chance to contribute during the final week of the regular season.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Getting CT scans
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Fletcher will undergo a CT scan on his right hand Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Fletcher was hit by a pitch in the hand last Saturday and continues to experience some soreness nearly a week later. The 28-year-old came off the bench Tuesday against Cleveland and was also in the lineup Wednesday, but he was limited to bunt attempts at the plate. Fletcher is unsurprisingly out of the lineup Friday versus the Mariners, and his availability for the rest of the weekend is up in the air.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Singles in return
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Fletcher (hand) went 1-for-2 with a single in a 3-1 loss Tuesday in Cleveland.
Fletcher was removed from Saturday's game in Houston after being hit by a pitch and missed the last two games. He did not start Tuesday but pinch hit for Andrew Velazquez in the fifth inning and remained in the game, playing shortstop. Despite his appearance off the bench, Fletcher doesn't appear to be fully past the hand issue as he bunted in both his plate appearances Tuesday and appeared unable to take full swings, per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Still out Tuesday
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Fletcher (hand) is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Guardians.
Fletcher has missed three games in a row due to this hand contusion. He couldn't grip a bat Tuesday, and with there being no fracture, it just comes down to pain tolerance. Luis Rengifo will start at second base while Matt Duffy starts at the hot corner.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Remains on bench Monday
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Fletcher (hand) isn't starting Monday against Cleveland.
Fletcher is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game due to a right hand contusion. Luis Rengifo is starting at second base in place of Fletcher, who noted that he's still dealing with some soreness with the hand that provides complications when he grips the bat, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Fletcher is thus unlikely to be available Monday in a pinch-hitting capacity, though because his hand isn't bothering him when he throws, he could be deployed as a late-inning defensive replacement.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Not part of Sunday's lineup
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Fletcher (hand) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.
Fletcher left Saturday's game after being hit by a pitch on the right hand, and he will get at least one day to recover. Luis Rengifo and Andrew Velazquez will form the Angels' starting middle infield Sunday.
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Angels' David Fletcher: X-rays negative
Rotowire
Fletcher was removed from Saturday's game against the Astros with a right hand contusion. X-rays were negative and he is considered day-to-day.
Jose Urquidy's second pitch of the game -- clocked at 93.9 mph -- hit Fletcher square on the hand. While Fletcher stayed in the game initially, he was replaced at second base by Luis Rengifo to begin the bottom of the first. The Angels may need someone else to set the table in the series finale if Fletcher can't go.
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Angels' David Fletcher: Not in Sunday's lineup
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Fletcher is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Fletcher started the Angels' last 26 games and will receive a day off after he posted a .318/.348/.391 slash line with one home run, 10 RBI and 13 runs during that stretch. Luis Rengifo will shift to the keystone while Andrew Velazquez starts at shortstop Sunday.
