Angels reduce role for slumping Yoán Moncada – Orange County Register - Ubirata Online News

ANAHEIM — The Angels have pushed Yoán Moncada aside.

For most of the season, the Angels were continuing to start the switch-hitting third baseman against right-handed pitchers because they wanted his left-handed bat and figured he would eventually get hot.

On Thursday, though, Moncada was on the bench for a second straight game against a righty.

“That’s the route that we’re going to go,” Manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I talked to him and he knows what he has to do. He’s been working every day. He’s been in the cage. He’s been taking ground balls. We’re going to need everybody. Right now, this is where we’re at. I’m not saying it’s going to be like this the rest of the year. It might change. It might not.”

The Angels signed Moncada, 30, to a $4 million deal shortly before the start of spring training. Last season, Moncada was hurt for half of the year, but when he played he produced a .783 OPS.

This year, he’s got a .610 OPS, and he’s essentially unable to face left-handed pitchers. Moncada revealed on Thursday that the right knee injury he suffered in 2025 still bothers him when he tries to hit right-handed.

Moncada is 1 for 21 with 12 strikeouts batting right-handed.

He said through an interpreter that the knee is “100%” an issue.

“I can’t push,” he said.

Moncada attempted to hit left-handed against a left-handed pitcher once last season, and he grounded out weakly.

“It’s a bit difficult for me since it was my first time,” Moncada said. “I’d really have to start practicing it little by little to see how I feel.”

His left-handed swing is also not where it was before. He has a .690 OPS against right-handed pitchers.

“I feel great left-handed,” Moncada said. “Things are not going my way, but I feel great.”

In the meantime, the Angels seem to be set on giving more playing time to Vaughn Grissom at third. Grissom has also come back to earth after a hot start, hitting .236 with a .691 OPS.

WHO’S THE CLOSER?

A day after Kirby Yates suffered a blown save in his first opportunity with the Angels, Suzuki said the Angels still have a few pitchers they could use in that role. He mentioned Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman and Yates.

“Those guys all pitch in higher-leverage spots toward the end of the game,” Suzuki said. “Some guys aren’t going to be up every day.”

Yates, 39, signed a $5 million deal over the winter with the expectation that he’d have a chance to close. After missing about a month with a knee injury, he pitched in four games before getting the save opportunity. He had retired all six hitters, with four strikeouts, in his two games before giving up a game-tying homer in the ninth on Wednesday.

NOTES

Left-hander Drew Pomeranz (elbow inflammation) threw a bullpen session on Thursday. “That’s a good sign,” Suzuki said. “That means he’s feeling good. We’ll see what the next step is, but talking to him, he’s feeling good, so hopefully we can get him back sooner than later.” …

Suzuki said there’s no change with Ben Joyce (shoulder surgery), who is rehabbing in Arizona but not throwing. The hard-throwing right-handed reliever was on the verge of returning to the Angels when he was slowed down because he was having trouble bouncing back after his minor league outings.