The Los Angeles Angels are in a tough spot after a recent trade deadline. They opted to trade away two of their top relief pitchers and sadly received the news that star center fielder Mike Trout is out for the season due to injury.
Latest Update: Mike Trout is done for the season due to injury.
When healthy, Luis Rengifo was one of the team’s standout hitters. He boasted a .300 average, .347 on-base percentage, and .417 slugging percentage across 78 games. Rengifo also excelled on the base paths, successfully stealing 24 out of 31 attempts this season.
However, a right wrist injury in July set him back significantly, causing him to miss 15 games. After returning, he struggled, finishing with a disappointing .188 average over nine games and only one extra-base hit.
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Despite some trade buzz surrounding Rengifo, the Angels’ dismal 49-63 record suggested a youth movement that wouldn’t lead to the playoffs this year. Recently, Rengifo landed back on the 10-day injured list to have his wrist examined. Reports indicate that he underwent surgery that will sideline him for the entire 2024 season.
Looking back, it’s possible that the severity of his injury dissuaded teams from pursuing him in trades. According to Jeff Fletcher from the Orange County Register, Rengifo is projected to be ready for spring training in 2025, with one more season of team control before he hits free agency.
This unfortunate series of events seems like another chapter in a season marred by misfortune. If Rengifo had sustained his injury after the trade deadline, the Angels might have been able to secure some value from him. As Fletcher reported, General Manager Perry Minasian indicated that the team was considering trading more players, but the offers just weren’t enough.
Teams looking at Rengifo likely had concerns about his wrist. Even after his activation, his performance was far from stellar, casting doubt on his recovery status.
Throughout his major league career, Rengifo has played 526 games, all for the Angels, with a batting line of .253/.312/.395, hitting 53 home runs and stealing 42 bases. Unfortunately, due to injuries, he hasn’t been able to appear in more than 130 games in a single season.