April 7, 2016 Page 1 of 24

Clips

(April 7, 2016)

April 7, 2016 Page 2 of 24

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Angels put Andrew Heaney on the disabled list because of a muscle strain

FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 4) Angels' farm system barren? Manager, players for Triple-A Salt Lake Bees

beg to differ

Angels place pitcher Andrew Heaney on the DL with forearm issue

On deck: Rangers at Angels, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Top catching prospect Taylor Ward 'on his way,' says 66ers manager Chad

Tracy

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 10)

Courageous Loe a valuable member of Angels family

Left forearm strain sends Heaney to DL

Where the Angels' Top 30 Prospects are starting season Angels look forward after rough series

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 19) Angels put lefty Andrew Heaney on DL with arm muscle strain

FROM LA DAILY NEWS (PAGE 20)

Angels place Heaney on DL, weaken already thin rotation

FROM AZCENTRAL (Page 21)

Tim Salmon making impact as Scottsdale Christian coach

April 7, 2016 Page 3 of 24

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels put Andrew Heaney on the disabled list because of a muscle strain Pedro Moura

In a blow to their rotation, the Angels put left-hander Andrew Heaney on the 15-day disabled

list Wednesday because of a flexor muscle strain in his left arm.

The Angels said that Heaney complained of tightness in his forearm after a six-inning start

against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night and an MRI exam confirmed the strain. He will be

shut down from throwing for an indefinite period.

Heaney, 24, called for a trainer after his first pitch of the second inning and went into the

dugout, but it was to treat a bloody nose. He had cotton stuffed up his left nostril and

continued to pitch after a four-minute delay.

At the same time, his velocity began to dip. He averaged 93.4 mph with his fastball during the

first inning, 91.7 in the second, 90.7 in the third and 88.4 in the fourth, according to PITCHf/x

data captured by BrooksBaseball.net.

His velocity rebounded up to 89.3 and 89.7 mph in his final two innings. Heaney averaged 92.5

with his fastball in the first inning and 91.3 in the sixth.

Asked about the discrepancy in velocity, Heaney said he couldn't explain it.

Angels officials said that doctors determined that Heaney's elbow ligament is fine.

"Not a significant concern," General Manager Billy Eppler said. "Any time a pitcher has to take a

timeout, regardless of the length, your antenna goes up. But you walk out with the results of

the MRI and the surrounding situation being more about the muscle."

April 7, 2016 Page 4 of 24

Heaney threw a career-high 184 innings between the minors and the majors last season and

166 2/3 innings in 2014. He had a 3.49 earned-run average for the Angels, who acquired him for

second baseman Howie Kendrick in December 2014.

Heaney, the team's No. 2 starter, was slated to make his second start Monday in Oakland.

The Angels opened the spring with eight big league starting pitchers. Two of them, Heaney and

left-hander C.J. Wilson, are on the disabled list, left-hander Tyler Skaggs, is at triple A working

his way back from elbow surgery and veteran right-hander Jered Weaver dealt with nerve

issues in his neck and shoulder during the spring.

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Angels' farm system barren? Manager, players for Triple-A Salt Lake Bees beg to

differ By BUBBA BROWN / CONTRIBUTING WRITER

SALT LAKE CITY — It is not news that baseball gurus and prospect pundits are placing little faith

in the farm system the Angels have assembled heading into the season.

Most say the system is bereft of top-tier talent. Some say it’s the worst in baseball.

But if there’s a place and a time for optimism, it’s at a ballpark in the bloom of spring. That’s a

truth seemingly not lost on Keith Johnson, manager of the Angels’ Triple-A affiliate, the Salt

Lake Bees. True, there may be no superstar-in-waiting in the Bees’ opening day lineup, but

when they take the field for the first time Thursday evening, Johnson will be brimming with

confidence.

“I’ll tell you what — I think our GM Billy Eppler has put together a pretty good group of guys at

this level that he’ll be able to reach down and grab a guy, whether it’s a starter or reliever or

catcher or whatever,” he said. “I like the group of guys that we have on this roster. Obviously,

this is Triple-A, and it’s up to them to do the things that they need to do if that opportunity

comes up.”

The roster is headlined by players who saw time with the Angels last year. Kaleb Cowart, a

once-top prospect who renewed a bit of his sheen with a strong campaign in Salt Lake last year,

April 7, 2016 Page 5 of 24

returns, as does Kyle Kubitza, who had a solid 2015 in Triple-A but faltered in brief appearances

in Los Angeles.

Both at various times were thought to be the Angels’ third baseman of the future, but spent

time in big league camp at other positions after Los Angeles traded for Yunel Escobar in the

offseason. They are listed as third basemen on the Bees’ roster but could be used in versatile

roles.

Catcher Jett Bandy, who hit .291 with 11 homers in 87 games with the Bees in 2015 is back and

will manage a pitching staff led by Nick Tropeano, a right-handed hurler who was effective in 37

2/3 innings with the Angels last year (assuming Tropeano is not recalled to Anaheim before

throwing a pitch for the Bees following Andrew Heaney’s injury Tuesday). Nate Smith,

considered by some to be one of the top prospects in the system, returns as well.

Tyler Skaggs, expected to soon head back to Anaheim once he concludes rehabbing from

Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of 2015, will also begin his season in Salt Lake.

Newcomers include well-regarded left-hander Greg Mahle and outfielder Todd Cunningham,

whom the Angels claimed off waivers in the offseason.

“It’s just a matter of having a group of guys go and and do what they do individually, and

hopefully that translates into wins,” Johnson said. “But if it doesn’t, at the very least, it’s going

to translate into guys that are able to contribute at the major league level if called upon.”

Johnson, who returns to the Bees after a one-year stint as a roving coordinator and major

league player information coach for the Angels, said getting his players big-league ready is his

top priority.

“We’re going to have guys who put the ball in play at a high rate, who don’t chase pitches,” he

said. “We have guys who do a really good job of moving the baseball, who can steal bases and

go first to third. They are going to play the aggressive style that our major league club likes.”

Second baseman Alex Yarbrough, who was one of the organization’s top prospects before

struggling through last year, agreed with Johnson’s assessment of the team. He sees a chance

for the Bees to change some of the perceptions people have formed about the Angels’ farm

system.

April 7, 2016 Page 6 of 24

“Judging from what I’ve seen — I got to play with almost all these guys in spring training and

minor league camp — I’m optimistic,” he said. “A lot of guys have big league time, and both

sides of the ball, we should be really good this year.”

Angels place pitcher Andrew Heaney on the DL with forearm issue

By JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

The Angels' starting rotation was dealt another potentially devastating blow when Andrew

Heaney was placed on the disabled list Wednesday because of a left flexor muscle strain.

If the injury turns out to be more significant, which is not uncommon with this type of initial

diagnosis, the Angels would be scrambling to assemble a quality rotation.

Sometimes "tightness" is a precursor to ligament issues that lead to more serious injuries.

"Anytime you have a pitcher complain of tightness your antenna goes up," Angels GM Billy

Eppler said.

But Eppler said right now he isn't worried Heaney has anything more serious. "When you hear

muscle instead of ligament you feel better," he said.

Eppler said Heaney will rest his arm a couple weeks and they'll go from there.

The Angels are already without C.J. Wilson indefinitely because of shoulder trouble. Jered

Weaver is coming back from a neck issue and he’s seen his velocity drop in recent years. Tyler

Skaggs, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, is still about three weeks away from

being able to start for the Angels.

Heaney gave up four runs in six innings in his first start of the year Tuesday night.

His velocity dipped from 93-94 mph in the first inning to 90-91 in the second, and it was 88-89

by the end of his outing.

When asked about it after the game, he said: “I don’t know.”

April 7, 2016 Page 7 of 24

According to the Angels, Heaney did complain to trainers about “tightness in his left forearm”

after the game. He underwent further imaging tests Wednesday morning, confirming the

diagnosis.

The Angels have not announced a corresponding move for Heaney, but it is likely Nick Tropeano

would come up to start the next time the Angels need a starter, on Monday in Oakland.

On deck: Rangers at Angels, Thursday, 7 p.m. By JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

Where: Angel Stadium

TV: Fox Sports West, 7 p.m.

Did you know? The Angels, who lost their first two games, have not won their first two games

since 2007.

THE PITCHERS

LHP HECTOR SANTIAGO (9-9, 3.59 in 2015)

Vs. Rangers: 6-2, 3.36

At Angel Stadium: 6-7, 3.30

Hates to face: Rougned Odor, 9 for 17 (.529)

Loves to face: Delino DeShields, 1 for 9 (.111)

LHP DEREK HOLLAND (4-3, 4.91 in 2015)

Vs. Angels: 9-6, 5.52

At Angel Stadium: 5-4, 5.16

Hates to face: Albert Pujols, 8 for 27 (.296), 3 HRs

Loves to face: Cliff Pennington, 3 for 21 (.143)

April 7, 2016 Page 8 of 24

UPCOMING MATCHUPS

Friday: Rangers TBA vs. Angels RHP Matt Shoemaker (7-10, 4.46) 7 p.m., FSW

Saturday: Rangers LHP Cole Hamels (1-0, 2.57), vs. Angels RHP Garrett Richards (0-1, 5.40), 6

p.m., FSW

Sunday: Rangers LHP Martin Perez (0-0, 3.00) vs. Angels RHP Jered Weaver (7-12, 4.64 in 2015),

12:30 p.m., FSW

Top catching prospect Taylor Ward 'on his way,' says 66ers manager Chad Tracy By KYLE GLASER / STAFF WRITER

Taylor Ward was just another kid who wanted to be like his dad.

Growing up, Ward and his brother would tag along to their father’s 30-and-over men’s league

baseball games and watch him throw on the catcher’s gear, get into the squat, guide his

pitchers and control the game’s tempo.

“That’s where I got being a catcher from,” Ward said. “I wanted to be like him. Do things like

him. Really, it dates back to Little League.”

Ward not only grew to be like his dad. From a baseball standpoint, he surpassed him.

Ward begins his first full professional season Thursday as the Inland Empire 66ers' starting

catcher and their main attraction on the roster. After a standout amateur career catching at

Shadow Hills High in Indio and at Fresno State, the Angels drafted Ward in the first round (26th

overall) last summer and have watched him rapidly ascend their minor league system.

Now, Ward is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the Angels organization and widely considered

the franchise’s catcher of the future.

“He’s got a lot good things going for him and he’s still got a ton of room to grow,” said 66ers

manager Chad Tracy, who managed Ward last year at Class-A Burlington. “We’re just going to

keep pushing him. He’s on his way to being pretty good.”

April 7, 2016 Page 9 of 24

Ward was widely considered a defense-first catcher leading up to the draft, in large part due to

his cannon of an arm. He threw out 62 percent of attempted base-stealers in college and

Baseball America rates him arm as a 70 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, a grade reserved for

some of the top catchers in the major leagues.

But it was Ward’s performance at the plate that elevated him from defensive catcher to bona

fide top prospect. After signing for a $1.67 million bonus, Ward was assigned to Rookie League

Orem and pummeled opposing pitchers for a .349 average and .489 on-base percentage.

Aggressively promoted to Burlington, he continued to hit with a .348 batting average and .412

on-base percentage.

Combined with his catching excellence - he threw out 44 percent of attempted base-stealers at

Burlington and didn’t commit an error – Ward’s offensive showing shot him up the prospect

charts.

“He can work an at-bat, he doesn’t chase often, he makes the pitcher throw the ball over the

plate, he uses the whole field – he’s just got a knack for putting the barrel on the ball,” Tracy

said. “His defense is great, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it is way ahead of his offense because

he’s got a pretty decent little approach at the plate. We just have to continue to refine it.”

Ward’s well-roundedness isn’t new. He set Shadow Hills High records for batting average, hits,

triples, home runs and RBI and was the first athlete in the young school’s history to earn a Div.

1 scholarship. The Tampa Bay Rays saw enough to like that they drafted him in the 31st round

out of high school in 2012.

Ward took a scholarship to Fresno State, where he hit .320 as a sophomore and last season hit

.304 and led the Bulldogs in home runs (seven) and RBI (42).

Try to talk to him about his offensive prowess, though, and Ward immediately shifts the

conversation back to the fundamentals of catching.

“I would still I say I’m more defensive-minded,” Ward said. “I really care about my pitchers. I

care about their success. I care about catching. What I like most is to try and throw runners out

and pick them off. At the end of the night if I went 0 for 4 but caught good, I don’t mind as all as

long as we got the win. Offense is going to take a backseat to catching.”

April 7, 2016 Page 10 of 24

Ward isn’t just spouting clichés and paying lip service with those words. The pitchers throwing

to him experience his mind-set firsthand and appreciate it greatly.

“He’s a real team guy, always trying to help us (pitchers) get better,” said 66ers starter Jake

Jewell, who threw to Ward in Burlington last season. “He’s a great athlete, a great teammate,

and with his arm and the way he is, having him back there makes everything easier.”

Ward’s goal is simply to be the best catcher he can be. If he does that, he’ll continue to live up

to the example set by his father, and more.

“I hope I can still play and catch for the next 20 years,” Ward said. “The main goal is to get to

the big leagues, so moving up (to Double-A) halfway through the season is a goal for me. Just

like I did last season, I’m going to go up and play my game and let it happen and see how it

goes.”

FROM ANGELS.COM

Courageous Loe a valuable member of Angels family

Writer, 56, has covered more than 2,500 games despite challenge of cerebral palsy

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- It began with Torii Hunter and it ended with Mike Trout, as things normally do

around here. The bet stated that if the Angels won 10 in a row, Kurt Loe -- a franchise fixture

going on four decades -- would get up out of his battery-powered wheelchair and, for the first

time, walk.

Terms were laid out in 2012, Hunter's final season in Anaheim and Trout's first full one in the

Major Leagues. But the deal wasn't consummated until the stretch run of '14, when the Angels

finally attained the 10-game winning streak that made Loe hold up his end of the bargain. Trout

didn't forget. Two Septembers ago, he looked on as a couple of clubhouse attendants carefully

lifted Loe by the armpits, then watched Loe pick his left foot off the ground and will it forward.

Amusement turned to chills, which manifested into applause. Angels vice president of

communications Tim Mead, the man who helped weave Loe into the fabric of this organization

31 years ago, still gets a rush just thinking about it.

April 7, 2016 Page 11 of 24

"Kurt, man," Trout said recently. "What a great guy. He's always here. Win, lose, he's always

here to support us. And he's always got a smile on his face."

Loe was born with cerebral palsy, a condition that only strengthened his resolve.

This was 56 years ago, at a military hospital in Honolulu while his father, a Marine named Gerry,

was stationed in Pearl Harbor. Loe's mother, Muriel, was told her son would have severely

limited physical and mental abilities. But then Loe learned to count to 10 in German by the age

of 2, and Muriel began to realize that the doctors had been all wrong about her little boy.

She watched him go mainstream for middle school and high school, graduate from Cal State

Fullerton with a journalism degree, write his own column for a weekly publication and,

fortuitously, contribute stories for the Angels' official magazine.

Loe covered his 2,500th game on Opening Day, which once again fell on a Monday. He's missed

only about 35 games since the Angels made him a regular in the spring of 1985.

"I'm just awed, because I know what his challenges are, and I find myself saying, 'I don't know

how you do it,'" Muriel, now 86, said. "Every day is a challenge for him, in many ways. To be

able to just carry on in spite of all this, it's just miraculous. He just keeps going, one day at a

time."

Loe's disorder sapped his motor skills, stunted his growth and made him immobile, but it has

done nothing to alter his recall, intelligence or sensibilities. He turns his head only slightly,

gestures softly with his right arm and has the use of just three fingers, but he'll never complain.

Sometimes -- many times -- coming to the ballpark is excruciatingly difficult for Loe, because he

isn't feeling well or he isn't getting the proper help. But he is there, usually 81 times a season,

with an Angels cap on his head and Trout's custom-made Nikes on his feet, still brand new and

2 1/2 sizes too big.

April 7, 2016 Page 12 of 24

Loe has adored baseball his entire life, ever since moving from Falls Church, Va., to Vista, Calif.,

in the spring of 1964 and finding out about a man named Sandy Koufax. But it isn't even about

the game.

"I need the people," Loe said. "I need these people in my life. And if I don't come out to this

ballpark, I don't get them."

It's Chuck Finley, Loe's all-time favorite, checking up on him immediately after a complicated

surgery to remove his gallbladder. It's Jim Edmonds wheeling him around the clubhouse after

exhilarating wins. It's Mike Scioscia saying hello in the aftermath of difficult losses. It's Joe

Maddon grabbing a plate of food, pouring a cold Sam Adams into the metal thermos that sits

on the clear tray of Loe's wheelchair, and talking about the game.

They did this almost every night in the 13 years Maddon served on the Angels' coaching staff.

"This guy is capable of being in somebody's front office," Maddon said. "I'm not exaggerating.

He's that knowledgeable about the game. He doesn't miss anything."

Loe's younger sister, Aileen, recalls how he used to keep score of three baseball games at a

time, two on the radio and one on TV. Joe Martinez, one of his primary caregivers for the past

11 years, still asks for Loe's help on writing assignments for Santa Ana College.

Loe has been writing for the Angels' in-house publications since 1991, most recently filing a

story about Garrett Richards.

Loe said he's "damn proud" about what he's accomplished, and he isn't afraid to say so.

"I mean, I wasn't supposed to do this," Loe said. "I literally wasn't supposed to be smart enough

to do any of this stuff."

Loe has lived in the same apartment complex since his college days. Nearly all of his walls are

covered by memorabilia, none of which he's ever really asked for. In one frame, on the wall

next to his bed, lie the notes distributed to the media prior to his 1,000th game. A message is

April 7, 2016 Page 13 of 24

scribbled above it in black marker. It reads, "The first 1,000 is the hardest!" It's signed, "Cal

Ripken Jr."

"A blessing," Loe called all of this. "This is a gift."

Loe hates having to rely on others to perform day-to-day tasks. His constant concern is that he

is being a burden on others, even though it's never the case. And his favorite people, he said,

are the ones that "see past the chair," like Maddon and Edmonds and Trout and, especially,

Finley.

Sometimes Aileen's voice cracks when she talks about her only sibling. It happened again, when

asked about his greatest qualities.

"His courage," she said. "He has a lot of courage. He's determined. And he doesn't want to be

labeled in any way. He wants to be as normal as he can. He's just very focused on being

independent."

Aileen described Loe's offseasons as "a desert," because the absence of baseball brings such

emptiness. Loe spent a lot of time at Disneyland last winter, where he now has another

network of friends. But most of his days were spent anticipating a 2016 season that many do

not expect to turn out favorably for his team.

Loe sees the Angels as "a team in transition," one that will ween off the free-agent splurging

and steer its focus towards building a stronger foundation. He likes to think of it as "reloading,"

not "rebuilding," and though he's well aware of the deficiencies on the roster, he believes the

Angels can compete this season.

For proof, he began to rattle off the jersey numbers of Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun, Yunel

Escobar, Johnny Giavotella, Huston Street, Joe Smith, Richards and Trout.

"They're competitive," Loe said. "Any time you compete, you have a chance."

He should know.

April 7, 2016 Page 14 of 24

Left forearm strain sends Heaney to DL

Angels hoping injury won't require Tommy John surgery By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Tightness in Andrew Heaney's left forearm forced him to be placed on the disabled

list Wednesday, but the Angels are hopeful he will not require season-ending Tommy John

surgery.

Heaney complained of the tightness after his Tuesday start against the Cubs, which triggered a

gradual drop in velocity, but an initial clinical exam determined that his ulnar-collateral

ligament was sound. A follow-up MRI later confirmed that.

Asked if he could rule out Tommy John surgery, Angels general manager Billy Eppler said: "All I

can say is that with the muscle strain, you'd rather hear the word 'muscle' than 'ligament.'"

Heaney will be shut down from throwing for at least a couple of weeks, at which point the

Angels hope the muscles around his forearm will loosen and allow him to re-start a throwing

program. With Jered Weaver tentatively scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against the

Rangers, the Angels will need a starting pitcher for Monday's series opener in Oakland.

Nick Tropeano will probably start that game -- though he was initially scheduled to make his

first Triple-A start Friday -- and the Angels will likely call up a reliever in the meantime.

"Any time you have a pitcher that has to take a timeout, your antenna goes up," Eppler said of

Heaney. "But we'll see. It sounded like we'll just give it some time and let this muscle calm

down. As soon as it calms down, he'll begin throwing off flat ground probably, and then mound,

so on and so forth. So, we'll just go from there."

The Angels could soon have Tyler Skaggs, who is scheduled to pitch four innings for Triple-A Salt

Lake on Sunday and could be ready for Major League competition before the end of April.

April 7, 2016 Page 15 of 24

About 20 months ago, Skaggs was initially placed on the DL with a "left forearm strain," then it

was determined he needed Tommy John surgery, which is the replacement of one's UCL.

The Angels aren't there with Heaney. Not yet, at least.

The 24-year-old left-hander gave up four runs in the third inning of Tuesday's 6-1 loss, which

followed a 9-0 defeat on Opening Day, but didn't allow anything else in a six-inning outing in

which he walked none and struck out seven.

Heaney suffered a nosebleed to start the second inning, prompting the Angels to lodge gauze

into one of his nostrils. His fastball velocity dipped shortly thereafter, going from an average of

93.4 mph in the first to 91.7 in the second, 90.7 in the third and, ultimately, 89.7 in the sixth.

"You notice it," Eppler said of the velocity drop, "but the player didn't say anything about it or

anything like that. He didn't say anything that was going on. So you just kind of proceed as he

had a little bit of an episode, where he had a bloody nose. 'I wonder if he's dehydrated, if he's

feeling under the weather,' anything like that. You wait for the player to kind of say something

before moving forward."

After the game, Heaney told the Angels his forearm was bothering him, prompting the DL

move.

Where the Angels' Top 30 Prospects are starting season By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com

With the 2016 season getting started, here's a look at where the Angels' Top 30 Prospects are

projected to start the season:

1. Taylor Ward -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

2. Jahmai Jones -- Extended spring camp

3. Nate Smith -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

4. Victor Alcantara -- Arkansas Travelers (AA)

5. Kaleb Cowart -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

April 7, 2016 Page 16 of 24

6. Joe Gatto -- Burlington Bees (A)

7. Kyle Kubitza -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

8. Jake Jewell -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

9. Chad Hinshaw -- Arkansas Travelers (AA)

10. David Fletcher -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

11. Roberto Baldoquin -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

12. Greg Mahle -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

13. Grayson Long -- Burlington Bees (A)

14. Jaime Barria -- Burlington Bees (A)

15. Julio Garcia -- Extended spring camp

16. Kyle McGowin -- Arkansas Travelers (AA)

17. Brendon Sanger -- Burlington Bees (A)

18. Jared Foster -- Burlington Bees (A) -- DL

19. Jeremy Rhoades -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

20. Kyle Survance -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv) -- DL

21. Caleb Adams -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

22. Rafael Ortega -- Extended spring camp

23. Jett Bandy -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

24. Justin Anderson -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)

25. Jose Suarez -- Extended spring camp

26. Sam Pastrone -- Extended spring camp

27. Jake Yacinich -- Burlington Bees (A) -- DL

28. Todd Cunningham -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

29. Alex Yarbrough -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)

30. Adam Hofacket -- Burlington Bees (A)

• Complete Angels prospects coverage on MLBPipeline.com/Angels

Team to watch

The California League can be an exciting circuit to watch, because it is so offensive-minded.

Keeping track of Inland Empire, then, should be fun, especially to see what 2015 first-round pick

Taylor Ward does for an encore after hitting .348/.457/.438 during his pro debut last summer.

He'll be joined by fellow 2015 Draft pick David Fletcher, a sixth-rounder who hit .311/.377/.414

in his own debut. With everyone healthy, the 66ers could have eight of the Angels' Top 30 on

the roster.

April 7, 2016 Page 17 of 24

Top 30 STARTING SPOTS

Division Teams

NL East ATL, MIA, NYM, PHI, WAS

AL East BAL, BOS, NYY, TB, TOR

NL Central CHC, CIN , MIL, PIT, STL

AL Central CLE, CWS, DET, KC, MIN

NL West ARI, COL, LAD, SD, SF

AL West HOU, LAA, OAK, SEA, TEX

Teams on MiLB.TV

Salt Lake Bees

Arkansas Travelers

Orem Owlz

New faces

General manager Billy Eppler's first move with the Angels was a waiver claim, picking up

outfielder Todd Cunningham from the Braves. Despite a sore wrist, he made a solid impression

in big league camp this spring and will wait for a callup while playing for Triple-A Salt Lake.

On the shelf

A trio of college bats taken over the past two Drafts are starting the year on the disabled list.

Jake Yacinich, a 2014 draftee, is nursing a sore shoulder. Jared Foster, a 2015 fifth-rounder, cut

his knee near the end of camp. He and Yacinich will likely head to Burlington and the Midwest

League when they are ready to go. Kyle Survance, last year's eighth-round pick, should head to

Inland Empire once his pulled hamstring has healed

Angels look forward after rough series By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- It's only two games, against the trendy World Series pick and two of the most

dominant starting pitchers in the National League. So, in a sense, it was easy for the Angels to

brush aside being outscored by 14 runs in the first 18 innings of their 2016 season.

April 7, 2016 Page 18 of 24

"If you look up the definition of a small sample in the dictionary, you're going to find that these

two games are a small sample," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said after Tuesday's 6-1 loss to

the Cubs, which came 24 hours after a 9-0 loss on Opening Day.

"Obviously we're not off on the right foot," Kole Calhoun added, "but there's a lot of baseball

still to play."

Indeed, there is.

But the Angels' first two games have highlighted what were probably their biggest fears when

Spring Training began. They couldn't generate much offense, their middle relievers couldn't

keep deficits within reach, and their starting pitchers faced little margin for error.

The Angels managed seven hits in their two-game set against the Cubs and didn't score their

first run until their 15th inning of the year. Fernando Salas, Cam Bedrosian, Cory Rasmus and

Mike Morin combined to give up eight runs on seven hits and four walks over a 3 1/3-inning

stretch. And Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney were each done in by one bad frame,

Richards in the fourth on Monday and Heaney in the third on Tuesday.

"With the team that they've got over there, the margin for error is pretty slim," Heaney said.

"Both me and Garrett had one bad inning that really killed us, killed momentum. And then

when you've got guys like they've got, starting for them, you know you're going to play some

tight games. I think if we give ourselves a chance later in the game, we'll pull through and we'll

win the games late. But when you give up big innings, and you really start losing momentum, it

can really kill you."

Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester each went seven innings against the Angels -- Arrieta allowed three

baserunners, Lester four hits -- and each exited only because the scores were lopsided. Mike

Trout and Albert Pujols went a combined 0-for-15 with five strikeouts, and the Angels managed

only four runners in scoring position and nine total bases -- equaling Dexter Fowler's tally -- in

the two games.

This, immediately after a spring in which they won 19 times, ranked second in the Majors in

OPS and finished seventh in ERA.

April 7, 2016 Page 19 of 24

The Angels have a hard time getting off to good starts, regardless of how their Cactus League

stats look. They dropped four of six in their first week of 2015, were outscored by 18 runs in

their first series of '14, went 2-8 to begin '13 and lost 15 times in the month of April in '12.

The uphill climb continues once again.

The Angels hope it's a short one.

"It's two losses -- that's it," Scioscia said. "We didn't give ourselves much of a chance on the

offensive side, we didn't get as much done on the mound as we needed. But we're going to get

better as a group. We are. We really believe in that. We think that our team is going to be able

to do a lot of different things that we weren't able to do in these two games."

FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS Angels put lefty Andrew Heaney on DL with arm muscle strain ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels have placed left-hander Andrew Heaney on the 15-

day disabled list with a flexor muscle strain.

The Angels made the move Wednesday, one day after Heaney made his first start of the

season.

Heaney yielded seven hits and four runs over six innings in the Angels' 6-1 loss to the Chicago

Cubs on Tuesday. He complained of tightness in his left forearm afterward, and an MRI exam

revealed the strain.

Heaney has been shut down from throwing to rest the muscle. The team does not know how

long he'll be shut down.

Heaney was the Angels' No. 2 starter entering his first opening day on a big league roster. He

went 6-4 in 18 starts last season.

Nick Tropeano is likely to replace Heaney in the Angels' rotation.

April 7, 2016 Page 20 of 24

FROM LA DAILY NEWS Angels place Heaney on DL, weaken already thin rotation

By Clay Fowler | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

As if two lopsided loss to the Cubs to open the season weren’t enough bad news.

The Angels announced on the eve of a four-game series against reigning AL West champion Texas that Andrew Heaney was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of a left flexor muscle strain.

Heaney complained of tightness in his left forearm, the Angels said, after Tuesday’s start against the Cubs. He experienced a slight decrease in velocity during the 6-1 loss in which he gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings.

Imaging performed Wednesday morning confirmed the initial diagnosis, according to a release, and “Heaney will be shut down from throwing in the immediate term in order to allow the muscle to calm down.”

The injury is of greater concern considering the uncertainties already facing the Angels starting rotation.

Hector Santiago will start Thursday’s series opener against Texas, Matt Shoemaker will start Friday and Garrett Richards on Saturday. Jered Weaver, who was bothered by neck stiffness during spring training, is only tentatively scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against Texas.

Given the way he finished last season, it’s difficult to know what to expect from Santiago in 2016.

The pitcher won his final six starts of 2015 after losing seven of the previous eight. Santiago finished last season with a 9-9 record and a 3.59 ERA, but his second-half numbers were less than inspiring. He went 3-5 with a 5.47 ERA after the All-Star break.

Opposing Holland on Thursday will be Texas’ Derek Holland, a once promising prospect who has fallen short of expectations despite considerable talent. Holland spent four months on the

April 7, 2016 Page 21 of 24

disabled list last season after tearing a shoulder muscle in his first start of the season. He returned to make 10 starts to finish the year with a less than impressive 4.91 ERA.

The Angels shrugged off two lopsided losses to the Cubs to begin the season.

They likely won’t do the same should there be similar results against the reigning AL West champions.

“You want to come out on the right foot, don’t get me wrong,” Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun said. “But it’s two and we’ve got four coming up against the Rangers, a division team, obviously the reigning division champs. So, come out ready to go on Thursday.”

FROM AZCENTRAL Tim Salmon making impact as Scottsdale Christian coach There is a hole under the 'guest' sign on the scoreboard beyond the left-field fence at

Scottsdale Christian Academy, an indentation made by former Los Angeles Angels right fielder

Tim Salmon last year while showing how to hit a left-handed curve off of a machine.

"I said, 'Every once in awhile if you work on hitting it over there, you might catch it out front,' ''

Salmon, 47, said. "I hit a line drive. The kids were like, 'Oh wow!' I said, 'That's just a normal out

in the big leagues.' ''

Ten years removed from his 14th and final major-league season, Salmon still lights up around a

baseball field, no matter how small it is.

Salmon played his whole career with the Angels, including a memorable World Series (.346

batting average and two home runs in a Game 2 win over the San Francisco Giants) in 2002, the

same year he was named the American League's Comeback Player of the Year.

It's been 30 years since he was lacing tape-measure shots at Phoenix Greenway High, before he

went on to stardom at Grand Canyon University.

Even though he never appeared in an All-Star Game, Salmon was the AL Rookie of the Year in

1993 and finished as the Angels' all-time home run leader with 299. And, to show how much he

is respected, nobody for the Angels has worn his number 15 since he retired at the end of the

2006 season.

Now, he is back at the high school level, in his second season leading Scottsdale Christian's

baseball team, while mixing in his Angels television duties for Fox Sports.

April 7, 2016 Page 22 of 24

"The key for me was being around my kids," Salmon said.

All four of his children, with wife, Marci, have gone through the small, private K-12 SCA.

Sophomore Ryan is an outfielder on the junior varsity. Katelyn is hitting .500 on the varsity

softball team. When SCA needed a coach before the start of last season, Salmon decided to

take it on, knowing his son will be with his dad for all four of his high school years.

"I was not only having fun but I was seeing the light bulb go off in the kid," Salmon said. "I

wanted to pass along my experience to make them better players. Did I ever envision myself

being a high school baseball coach? No. I didn't know what I envisioned myself after I was done

playing.

"Now that I'm here, this is it. These are young men's lives I'm impacting. The biggest thing I take

away is, I want to teach lessons in baseball that translates to life, how to deal with the ups and

downs, the failures and successes."

In his first year last season, Salmon led SCA on an improbable run to the state semifinals,

winning 10 of 12, before falling to Phoenix Northwest Christian 2-1. The team finished 20-9

behind pitcher Robert Reaser, who went 10-2 with a 1.55 ERA and is now at Lewis & Clark

College in Portland, Ore.

Salmon coached Reaser in Little League. Most of his peers went to Scottsdale Chaparral.

Injuries and a daunting schedule in a new, tougher league (Division III) have impacted this year's

Scottsdale Christian team, which is 5-9-3 but coming off a 2-0 win over 14-6-1 Fountain Hills

behind the pitching of its No. 3 starter, Adam Bernardo.

Salmon, known as the Big Fish with the Angels, knows SCA is the small fish in a big baseball

pond.

Chaparral draws most of the top players in Scottsdale.

But Salmon isn't so worried about winning games as long as his kids play the right way, not

trying to show up anybody.

One rule:

"Kids can't come out and dress like Bryce Harper," Salmon said. "I said, 'No, you're not going to

do that. You've got to earn it. Bryce Harper earned that.' I think one game I snapped at them.

We're getting pummeled by 15 runs. We get a base hit and he's celebrating, acting like he was

on the other side of it. I try to give them perspective on how to handle things. I want them to

have their peers appreciate them."

April 7, 2016 Page 23 of 24

Because Salmon has been around SCA for a while now, his players aren't in awe of him.

"They're familiar with me," he said. "I get more of that awe from the other dugout, if I do at

all."

When Salmon took his team to an Angels spring training game in March at Tempe Diablo

Stadium, he gave them the VIP treatment, taking them into the clubhouse and on the field.

They were surprised to see fans wanting their coach's autograph.

"They said, 'Coach, you're so popular,' '' Salmon said.

Most of the players respect his credentials and take his instruction on how to hit. One time, he

said, a player challenged his instruction by informing him how his club coach told him to do it.

"I said, 'Let me see the back of your club coach's baseball card,' '' Salmon said. "I don't want to

pull it out, but it surprises me when I get that hesitation. If I had a coach who played in the big

leagues, I'd be right on top of that."

Salmon enjoys watching kids blossom.

It's been a hard journey back this season for junior pitcher Kameron Quitno, who pitched his

first game last week coming off a sore arm.

He dominated for five innings, before Salmon pulled him because he was on a pitch count. SCA

ended up losing the game in the seventh inning on a walk-off.

SCA's record might be reversed with a healthy Quitno all season.

"I didn't know what to expect when he came in to coach us," Quitno said. "He's a big guy. He

can be intimidating at times. But he's a cool guy. He was such a good player. You can pick his

brain, get details, the little things. He's really easy to talk to."

Salmon is happy at SCA. But he sometimes thinks about coaching in the big leagues, perhaps as

a hitting instructor, down the road -- perhaps with the Angels.

After the high school season ends, Salmon will spend most of the summer with the Angels,

doing TV commentary.

That's still his family.

For now, Scottsdale Christian is his home.

"I try to start off the day with having some fun," Salmon said before a practice. "We'll

incorporate the younger kids, freshmen to seniors. We're doing this together. We need the

April 7, 2016 Page 24 of 24

younger kids as much as they need us. I just hope to get them to feel relaxed. We keep it loose.

But they know, you'll never have a problem unless your head's not in the game and if you don't

hustle."