Los Angeles Angels: Sean Burnett, All-Star Vote, Stats

May 23, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Sean Burnett (24) in the seventh inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Angels won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Here is the latest news from the Los Angeles Angels, including the Sean Burnett’s injury, All-Star voting, and more minor league deals.

Sean Burnett Has Torn UCL

For the second time in his career, Sean Burnett has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, which will require a second Tommy John Surgery.

Burnett fought his way back again after missing over a year due to elbow surgery. He started 2013 on the disabled list; returned briefly in May; and then irritation in his elbow prompted another minor procedure.

On his way back, Burnett had several setbacks, which might have been red flags. But the goal was to get Burnett’s arm healthy, and back on the mound for the Angels. He pitched three games in the past week until taking himself out of last night’s 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

In a corresponding move, the Angels called up right-hander Matt Shoemaker, and he will make his next start tomorrow night in the final game of the Halos’ four game series at SafeCo Field. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc was originally scheduled to start, but will instead be the lefty in the bullpen for the time being.

This will be his second Tommy John Surgery. His first came in 2005 as a member of the Pirates organization.

As far as Burnett’s future, this may prompt the Angels to exercise his $5ooK buyout instead of his $4.5 million dollar option for 2015. And there’s also a good chance, unfortunately, that Sean Burnett’s career may be over.

Mike Trout Leads AL in All-Star Voting

The first All-Star fan-voting results for the American League’s starting lineup were unveiled Tuesday.

Mike Trout compiled 764,007 votes, the most in the AL.

In 2013, Trout was sixth overall in All-Star voting, fourth in the AL, and second among AL outfielders.

Other Angels in the running are Albert Pujols and Howie Kendrick. Albert is second in the AL among first basemen, and Howie is fifth among AL second basemen. Josh Hamilton,  who has only played 8 games because of his thumb injury, is actually 12th among outfielders.

The 2014 All-Star teams will be revealed on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6.

Hamilton To Resume Baseball Activities… Again

Josh Hamilton, recovering from thumb surgery, was planning on returning to the Angels this past Monday. However, he suffered a bone bruise on his left thumb on Friday during a rehab game.

Josh took a couple of days off, and then played catch and did running exercises Tuesday afternoon. He says he’s feeling much better.

The new timeline has Hamilton rejoining the Angels in the upcoming Oakland series. Although he could possibly return tomorrow even. But there has been no word on that as of yet.

Facts and Figures

• Kyler Newby signed a minor league deal with the Angels on Tuesday. Newby, 29, has spent ten seasons in the minors, with a lifetime 9.9 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9. Last year, with the Oakland Athletics organization, he posted a 2.70 ERA in 60 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A.
• In Josh Hamilton’s absence, Collin Cowgill and Grant Green have been platooning in left field. Cowgill is hitting .281 with a .369 on-base percentage, and Green is hitting a sizzling hot .388 with a .510 slugging percentage.
• Angels are 29-19 since being swept by the Mariners in the 2014 opening series.
• Halos have also won 12 of 17.
• Despite being 12th in batting average with runners in scoring position, the Angels are 4th in the AL in runs in that same spot. This is the result of being 2nd in extra base hits, and 2nd in the AL in batting with runners in scoring position with 2 outs. But that is what an offense should be doing any way. It also shows that a two run homerun with a man on first base in the fourth inning can be just as important as a two run homerun with runners in scoring position in the eight inning.
• On a less controversial note, coming into tonight’s game, all five Angels starters in their rotation have ERA’s below 4.00. Halos starters are 2nd in the AL with a 3.42 ERA, 2nd in WHIP, 2nd in batting average against, and lead the AL with 321 innings pitched. They’re looking a lot like the rotations the Angels had from 2004 through 2011. They could be one of the top five rotations in the AL, and maybe all of baseball.
• The pitching staff as a whole has risen to 3rd in the AL with their 3.60 team ERA.