TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels on Tuesday optioned right-hander Chase Silseth, which is no surprise considering he’d allowed 15 earned runs in 13 innings this spring.
That officially leaves just right-hander Jack Kochanowicz and left-hander Reid Detmers in the race for the No. 5 starter job. Both have looked good this spring, so it’s possible the Angels keep one of them in the bullpen, as they did with José Soriano to start the season last year.
“Until we make that decision, that’s on the table,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “It’s always on the table, but we gotta make that decision before we say something like that. Right now we haven’t decided who’s got the fifth spot, so there’s still competition going on.”
It’s worth noting that Detmers has pitched in relief – albeit in starter-length outings – in each of his last two games. He’s scheduled to follow Yusei Kikuchi to the mound Friday against the Colorado Rockies.
As for Silseth, he suggested after he allowed five runs in a start Monday that he was “overthinking” on the mound.
Washington agreed that his problems are not physical.
“When you’re having problems trying to control your emotions, that ain’t got (expletive) to do with physicality,” Washington said with a smile.
Silseth said that he worked with a mental skills coach over the winter, and the Angels clearly think he still needs work.
“It’s not an overnight thing,” Washington said. “We can see progress, but he’s going to have to compete to where he can really control that. Trying to get him to be something he hasn’t been is really hard, because that’s what keeps showing up.”
NOTES
Third baseman Yoán Moncada, who is out with a bruised right thumb, continues to feel “better,” Washington said, but there’s otherwise been no change. He hasn’t thrown or hit since he was shut down with the injury. Moncada said he’s still planning on being ready by Opening Day. …
Infielder Luis Rengifo got the day off after playing in two straight Cactus League games. Rengifo had been getting at-bats in minor-league games on the days he wasn’t playing. The Angels seem to have little concern about Rengifo’s hamstring at this point. Now they are just trying to get him enough at-bats to get his timing before the season. …
Shortstop Zach Neto was scheduled to throw from shortstop to first base again Tuesday. The next major hurdle for Neto will be facing live pitching, and he said he’s not sure when that will happen. Neto, who had shoulder surgery in November, is expected to be ready sometime in April. …
Left-hander Angel Perdomo, who was acquired Monday, had not arrived in camp by Tuesday morning. Perdomo, 30, is out of options, so he is likely to make the Opening Day bullpen. “The kid’s got a good arm,” Washington said. “He always had a few issues trying to keep it in the strike zone. Hopefully over the years he’s honed that in. We’ll just wait to get him in camp and see what we’re dealing with.” …
The Angels signed utilityman Travis Blankenhorn earlier this month, and he was on the lineup card to play in Tuesday’s Cactus League game. Blankenhorn was the Minnesota Twins’ third-round pick in 2015, and he’s since bounced around the majors. He had an .820 OPS last season at Triple-A in the Washington Nationals’ system.
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