ANAHEIM — Sam Aldegheri’s turn in the Angels rotation came to an end with another performance in which he started slowly and walked too many.
A day after the left-hander gave up three first-inning runs and walked four in four innings, he was optioned to Triple-A.
It clears the way for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to return to the rotation after missing three weeks with back inflammation.
Manager Kurt Suzuki said they still haven’t officially decided to bring back Rodriguez.
“He’s definitely a strong, strong, strong, strong candidate,” Suzuki said. “Maybe four ‘strongs.’”
Rodriguez, 26, dealt with serious injuries that cost him the end of 2024 and all of 2025, and he’s been on the injured list twice with the Angels in 2026. However, he continued throwing during each of his two injured-list stints with the Angels, suggesting the Angels were slow-playing his return to action with an eye on the three remaining years they have him under control.
Rodriguez threw in two minor league games during his current injured list stint, allowing two runs in 9⅓ innings. He did not walk anyone in 5⅓ innings for Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday night, throwing 78 pitches. His fastball hit 98 mph.
“The reports I have from the trainers are that he’s feeling great and he’s ready to go,” Suzuki said. “So we’ll find out.”
Aldegheri heads back to Triple-A with a 5.08 ERA. He had a 6.31 ERA in his six starts. In his first innings, he gave up six runs on two homers and seven walks. Aldegheri acknowledged after Saturday’s game, in which he gave up a three-run homer, that he needs to re-evaluate his routine to solve that problem.
Overall, the other significant issue was that he walked 17 in 33⅔ innings.
Suzuki said there were positives amid those issues, though.
“I saw a lot of good things,” he said. “Obviously, the changeup will play. When he was locating his fastball, commanding his fastball to both sides of the plate, breaking balls, you saw what he can do. And I think just the last couple times, I think it was more execution. We just told him you’ve got to execute a little better and get ahead in the count. That was pretty much it.”
The Angels called up left-handed reliever Taylor Saucedo to take Aldegheri’s roster spot. They’ll need to make another move to open a spot for Rodriguez on Friday.
TROUT UPDATE
Mike Trout ran the bases and took batting practice on the field for the second straight day, continuing to progress toward an activation on the upcoming trip. Trout has been out since June 18 with a hamstring injury.
Trout, who was elected to start the July 14 All-Star Game on Saturday, said he’s expecting to play early this week, although he stopped short of guaranteeing anything because of his history of failing to meet other timelines with his injuries.
“He’s going to tell us when,” Suzuki said. “There’s no timetable. When Trouty says he’s ready to go, he’s going to be ready to go and we’ll get him going. For now, we’ll stay with the progression and let him do his thing until he feels like he’s ready.”
NOTES
Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session since going on the injured list more than two months ago. Kikuchi said he threw 20 fastballs and then some curveballs and splitters. He said he’s right on the schedule they had mapped out when he got hurt. He plans to be facing hitters after the All-Star break and pitching in games in early August. …
Travis d’Arnaud (plantar fasciitis) caught Kikuchi’s bullpen session. D’Arnaud is making progress but he still hasn’t run at full speed.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP José Soriano, 8-5, 3.42) at Rangers (RHP Jacob deGrom, 7-5, 3.48), Tuesday, 5:05 p.m., ABTV, 830 AM