SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Third baseman Yoán Moncada has been dealing with a deep bone bruise in his right thumb, but he took grounders without any issues on Monday and is confident he¡¯ll be ready for Opening Day against the White Sox on March 27.
There¡¯s at least a chance that Moncada could open the season on the injured list -- he¡¯s still not cleared to hit or throw -- but Moncada said his goal is to get ready in time for the opener, and manager Ron Washington was more optimistic on Monday than he was on Sunday.
¡°I feel like I'm gonna be ready for Opening Day,¡± Moncada said. ¡°That's what I¡¯m aiming for right now. So that's my mindset.¡±
Moncada, 29, was signed to a one-year deal worth $5 million on Feb. 15 to be the club¡¯s starting third baseman. But he¡¯s dealt with injuries in recent years, including playing in just 12 games with the White Sox last year because of a left adductor strain.
Moncada, however, said he believes the trainers have a good plan for him to overcome this latest obstacle. He said he sustained the injury on Wednesday when he accidentally hit this thumb too hard on his glove.
¡°I¡¯m just day to day,¡± Moncada said. ¡°Based on that, we¡¯ll be implementing more things to get better and get ready.¡±
Washington said he was pleased to hear Moncada was feeling better on Monday, but he noted the Angels will have a backup plan just in case. Luis Rengifo, who dealt with left hamstring tightness recently but has been back in the lineup, will get most of his reps at third base going forward. It leaves open a spot at second base, with veteran Tim Anderson the most likely candidate there.
¡°There wasn't any [ligament] damage,¡± Washington said of Moncada. ¡°Was just a deep bruise. And we all recover from deep bruises differently, so I'm hoping he¡¯s a quick recover-er. So that's great news. Gonna keep working and hope that when Opening Day shows up, he¡¯ll be there.¡±
Anderson, who was signed to a Minor League deal on Feb. 4, looks increasingly likely to make the team. He had a slow start offensively, but he has been clicking recently and has provided solid defense at second and short.
¡°The more reps that I've been getting, the more comfortable I've been feeling,¡± Anderson said. ¡°And the hitting staff is unbelievable. Just being able to talk the same language. It¡¯s been a minute since I had that. And just being on top of things that I've been working on every day. The work is showing, and I'm excited about that. I'm excited about where I¡¯m at. It¡¯s probably the most comfortable I¡¯ve ever felt in spring.¡±
Kevin Newman is also on track to be the Opening Day shortstop with Zach Neto starting the year on the injured list after undergoing right shoulder surgery in November. There¡¯s another bench spot up for grabs between J.D. Davis and Ryan Noda, with Davis likely having the slight edge because he can play third and bats right-handed. Scott Kingery also could find himself in the mix if Moncada opens the year on the injured list.
No. 1 prospect Christian Moore and Kyren Paris also remain in camp, but it looks more likely that they will open the year in the Minors to get more seasoning, as they¡¯ve both had some hiccups defensively.
¡°They have taken tremendous strides,¡± Washington said. ¡°But it's the little things that you gather by playing the game. Like decision making. That¡¯s paramount. But nope, those guys are certainly in our future, and they're going to be good baseball players, but again, they just got to keep gaining experience by being on the field and having an opportunity to react to those things.¡±
Angels tidbits
? Closer Kenley Jansen left Spring Training to attend his mother¡¯s funeral. But he¡¯ll be back and throwing again on Tuesday, and he¡¯ll be ready for the start of the season.
? The Angels are still deciding on who will be their No. 2 hitter this season. Taylor Ward will lead off, Mike Trout will hit third and Jorge Soler will bat cleanup. Newman, Anderson and Rengifo are all candidates. A lineup resembling their potential Opening Day lineup will come Wednesday.
? The Angels optioned reliever Michael Peterson, which clears things up in the bullpen. It¡¯s a good sign for Rule 5 Draft lefty Garrett McDaniels, while No. 7 prospect Ryan Johnson remains in camp and is a wild card to make the roster.