The Angels hoped that Yoán Moncada’s inclusion in their lineup would spark the game on Tuesday, and he delivered.
In the series opener at Angel Stadium, Moncada led the Angels to an 8-3 victory against the Blue Jays, including a three-run homer during a six-run eighth inning. After going homerless in 12 games during his injury-plagued 2024 season with the White Sox, it was Moncada’s first home run in the Major Leagues since September 29, 2023.
Through interpreter Manny Del Campo, Moncada stated, “I’m really excited.” “It feels amazing to return at the right moment and hit the homer after missing a lot of games.”
It came on a first-pitch fastball from closer Jeff Hoffman shortly after Logan O’Hoppe blasted a go-ahead RBI single on a 0-2 splitter.
Zach Neto started the inning with a leadoff walk, stole second base, and scored on a crucial error by third baseman Ernie Clement, who was unable to handle catcher Alejandro Kirk’s throw on a bunt from Nolan Schanuel. The Angels will score runs any way they can because of the way their offense has been struggling.
The Angels were confident that Moncada, who has a penchant to earn walks, may assist their ailing offense, which ranks last in the Majors with a .271 on-base percentage. After missing two rehab games with Class A Inland Empire due to a right thumb issue that began on April 10, he went 0-for-5 with four walks.
Manager Ron Washington stated, “I just wanted his presence; I wasn’t concerned about his offense.” “He barreled the ball in three good at-bats, and that final one was enormous.” With him not playing, I don’t believe we anticipated that.
Before being placed on the injured list, 29-year-old Moncada hit.190/.370/.286 with two doubles and four RBIs in eight games. Moncada first hurt his thumb during Spring Training but attempted to play through it early in the season before suffering a setback on April 4. Moncada signed a one-year contract for $5 million in the summer.
After the injury, he struggled to hit from the left side, but he demonstrated that it wasn’t a problem. Moncada looked sharp at the plate and smashed a ball to the warning track in his first at-bat, but his timing was predicted to be the biggest obstacle.
Moncada remarked, “I just went in there and attacked the pitches.” “You regain your timing in this way.”
Three veterans joined the roster on Tuesday, including Moncada, who has a career.254/.332/.423 slash line in portions of ten seasons with the Red Sox, White Sox, and Angels. They also heard positive news about right-hander Sam Bachman, who pitched a scoreless inning on Tuesday after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome during Spring Training and started his rehab assignment with Single-A Inland Empire.
Before Tuesday’s series opening against Toronto, the Angels also signed contracts with Connor Brogdon and Héctor Neris, two seasoned right-handed relievers. Touki Toussaint was assigned, while right-hander Michael Darrell-Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. To provide space for Moncada, first baseman Niko Kavadas was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake.
In 12 Major League seasons with the Phillies, Astros, Cubs, and Astros, Neris, 35, has a career 3.40 ERA. In 2022, he won a World Series with Houston. He had an instant effect, ending the eighth inning and preventing the Blue Jays from having a huge inning by striking out two batters with runners at first and third.
