Schanuel returns for Angels as Soler heads to IL with oblique strain

The Angels got a needed boost at first base on Saturday, activating Nolan Schanuel after he missed 11 games with left ankle tendinitis. He started and batted fifth in the lineup, a return that manager Kurt Suzuki framed as both a physical and mental reset. Los Angeles, however, also saw new trouble develop in the same weekend stretch, with designated hitter Jorge Soler landing on the 10-day injured list before the team’s game against the Dodgers.

Soler’s placement on the injured list came with an oblique strain, an injury that had been described and discussed through a few different labels as his symptoms shifted. According to the Angels, Soler had been dealing with the issue for roughly the past two weeks and tried to keep playing through it. He left Wednesday’s game in the fifth inning and was scratched shortly before Friday’s matchup, leaving the club with limited options at DH as the weekend approached.

Suzuki’s comments captured the contrast between the two situations. He said he was glad to have Schanuel back after speaking with him and getting confirmation that Schanuel felt ready enough to return. The Angels’ first baseman also indicated he was not at full strength but believes he can play through the problem, noting that the ankle affects him most when running, rather than during hitting or fielding at first base. Schanuel said that after playing nine innings during his rehab assignment, he was sore afterward, and that he expects his body to adjust to being on his feet for extended periods.

The Schanuel return also created immediate on-field decisions. Vaughn Grissom, who had been filling in at first base, was held out of the lineup for a second straight day with left side tightness. That meant Los Angeles leaned on its next options defensively and offensively, with the DH role carrying the most immediate impact of Soler’s injury. The Angels’ lineup considerations in the wake of Soler’s IL placement also set the stage for more time for other regulars or utility bats depending on how closely his absence impacts day-to-day availability.

In the same game atmosphere, the Angels faced another internal stress test, beyond the injury list. Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz struggled against the Dodgers, recording only one out and allowing seven runs on six hits and a walk. The club’s overall performance in the contest was tied to that difficult stretch, but the pitching outing also raised the possibility that Los Angeles could make additional roster changes if Kochanowicz’s condition worsened or did not improve quickly. Kochanowicz described the problem as “body-wise” related, with an emphasis on mechanics and the need to feel better after the game.

Soler’s oblique situation adds an important uncertainty for the Angels’ coming weeks. Suzuki said testing suggested the injury was “not that bad,” but he also cautioned that obliques can be tricky because their recovery can vary even when initial evaluations are encouraging. For Los Angeles, the next questions are practical: how soon the team can stabilize at DH, whether Schanuel’s ankle behaves well during baserunning and longer stints on the field, and whether the pitching rotation can absorb another possible adjustment if Kochanowicz needs more time.