Travis d’Arnaud is set to remain sidelined for several weeks due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot. The Angels placed the catcher on the 10-day injured list on May 7 and d’Arnaud is currently using a scooter for mobility. He told MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger that he will need at least two weeks before putting weight on the foot. With rehab and a minor league assignment ahead, a return by mid-June is the best-case scenario.
D’Arnaud’s injury compounds a difficult season for the Angels, who are 16-30 and last in the majors. The 34-year-old catcher signed a two-year, $12 million deal in November 2024 but struggled to a .197/.255/.343 slash line over 231 plate appearances in his first season with the team. This year, he has hit a modest .614 OPS in his first 40 plate appearances. His absence, combined with poor production, makes his time in Anaheim appear to be a disappointment for both sides.
Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers will spend 7-10 days in the hospital being treated for viral meningitis. The Rangers announced the news in a press release on Friday. Smith has already been on the 10-day injured list since May 4 due to a right glute strain. He was further set back by wrist soreness before this latest setback. Smith has batted just .217/.324/.239 in 108 plate appearances this season, adding to his struggles on the field.
Denzel Clarke is making progress in his return from a bone bruise in his right foot. The A’s outfielder began a minor league rehab assignment on Monday and will play two games at A-level Stockton before likely moving to Triple-A. Clarke has been sidelined since April 20, a full month on the shelf. Known for his elite defense in center field, Clarke has hit just .214/.262/.323 in 219 career plate appearances and is still finding his offensive footing at the MLB level.
With key players sidelined and struggling, the AL West is seeing another wave of challenges. The Angels, Rangers, and A’s all have major decisions to make as their seasons develop. D’Arnaud’s return timeline, Smith’s health status, and Clarke’s progress will all be monitored closely as the season moves forward.
Nikita Kucherov has been named the 2025-26 Hart Trophy winner, narrowly edging out Connor McDavid for the league MVP honors. Kucherov, who captured the award for the second time in his career, received 1436 points in the voting compared to McDavid’s 1426. The Tampa Bay Lightning star produced a care
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The Los Angeles Angels have re-signed right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker to a minor league contract. Walker will report to Triple-A Salt Lake for an immediate start against the Arizona Diamondbacks’ affiliate. The deal allows the Angels to maintain control over a potential rotation piece while mana
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The Cleveland Guardians have traded outfielder Nolan Jones to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for a $250K international bonus pool allotment. Jones, who cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Charlotte, will not appear on Chicago’s 40-man roster. The Guardians will continue to cover a portio
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The Milwaukee Brewers have signed right-handed pitcher Lyon Richardson to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Nashville, per his transactions tracker at MLB.com. Richardson, who was recently outrighted by the Cincinnati Reds for the second time, now has a fresh opportunity to prove
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