Demoted Angels starter Reid Detmers making strides toward a return

OAKLAND — Reid Detmers is getting closer to a return to the major leagues, while Chase Silseth still has more work to do.

“Silsy is still going through the ringer a little bit,” Angels pitching coach Barry Enright said of the two starters currently working at Triple-A. “I think he’s a little behind where Det is right now.”

Silseth, who missed two months with right elbow inflammation, has allowed 19 earned runs in 18 innings in four starts at Triple-A.

Detmers, who was optioned because of poor performance in the majors, has been making some better strides, Enright said.

“I think he’s in a much better spot right now,” Enright said. “Chatting with him, he’s in a much better head space, and closer to where he needs to be mentally. It’s shown with some slider results and strikeouts as well.”

Detmers has allowed 19 earned runs in 30 innings in five starts. On the bright side, he’s got 41 strikeouts and nine walks.

He pitched twice last week in Albuquerque, one of the most hitter-friendly environments in all of minor league baseball. He gave up five runs, on two homers, in the first inning last Tuesday, and then no more runs through the next five innings. On Sunday he gave up three runs on four hits in six innings, with 11 strikeouts and two walks.

“I think he would tell you he needs to limit the big innings,” Enright said. “With the stuff he has, we’re holding him to a little bit higher standard.”

The Angels have an opening for either or both pitchers to return to the majors as soon as they show they are ready. The current rotation includes Tyler Anderson, Griffin Canning, José Soriano, Davis Daniel and Roansy Contreras.

HONOR FOR DANA

Right-hander Caden Dana, the top pitching prospect in the Angels’ system, was selected to pitch in the MLB Futures Game, which will be held on July 14 in Arlington, Texas.

Dana, 20, has a 3.09 ERA in 15 starts at Double-A Rocket City, with 88 strikeouts and 30 walks in 84⅓ innings

“He’s a very special kid,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “And I am very impressed with the way Perry (Minasian) and the minor league guys are handling him, not letting him get ahead of himself, making him stay down in the minor leagues and enjoy what he’s got going on for himself. I would bet that in this next year coming, we’ll see Dana at the major league level.”

VIRAL GOOF

Right-hander Ben Joyce created a social media firestorm when he posted an Instagram photo that he identified as the Golden Gate Bridge. Many were quick to point out to Joyce that his photo was actually the Bay Bridge, which connects San Francisco to Oakland. The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County, to the north.

The mistake had attracted more than 3 million views as of Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m glad it turned into something funny,” Joyce said.

Upon further review this is not the Golden Gate Bridge. https://t.co/vuHIHeP48n

— Ben Joyce (@benjoyce08) July 1, 2024

NOTES

The Angels placed right-hander Andrew Wantz on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, and sent the reliever for further evaluation. Wantz also missed time this season in Triple-A with an elbow issue. He was replaced on the roster by right-hander José Soriano, who was activated from the injured list to start on Tuesday night. …

Left-hander José Quijada (Tommy John surgery) was scheduled for a third rehab outing in Arizona on Monday. Quijada is about a week into a rehab assignment that is limited to 30 days. He’s out of options, so when the rehab assignment expires, the Angels will either need to activate him or designate him for assignment. Washington said so far the Angels “haven’t had any discussions about him coming to the big leagues. Not that it might not happen. Let me get that straight. But he hasn’t been a priority.” …

Infielder Brandon Drury returned to the lineup for the first time since June 18. He had been out with a respiratory illness since then.

UP NEXT

Angels (RHP Davis Daniel, 1-0, 0.00 ERA) at A’s (RHP Joey Estes, 2-3, 5.24 ERA), Wednesday, 6:40 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM