Angels’ Patrick Sandoval Leaves Game With Injury

Maren Angus-Coombs | Jun 22, 2024

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval walked Shohei Ohtani twice on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. After issuing the free pass in the third inning, Sandoval was clearly in pain as he motioned to the Angels' dugout for help.

Sandoval would leave his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers after 2.1 innings alongside trainer Matt Biancuzzo and manager Ron Washington.

#Angels Patrick Sandoval in obvious discomfort after this pitch. Left with an apparent arm injury. pic.twitter.com/hizfOQwzO3

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) June 22, 2024

A couple of innings later, the Angels updated Sandoval's status: right forearm tightness was the reason for his early exit. Sandoval hasn't dealt with any major injuries since making his major league debut with the Angels in 2019. But he appeared to be favoring his elbow as he left the field.

Patrick Sandoval was removed from tonight's game with left forearm tightness.

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) June 22, 2024

The left-hander was replaced by Hunter Strickland. Sandoval gave up up two hits, two walks and struck out one. The last pitch he threw, an 89-mph sinker he threw to Ohtani for ball four, was his slowest sinker all night.

Sandoval's season has been very up and down. He entered the night 2-8 with an ERA of 5.23 but has shown flashes of greatness. He has been searching to find his form from 2022, when he finished 6-9 with a 2.91 ERA across 27 starts.

Hopefully, this injury won't sideline Sandoval for long. The Angels already have quite the collection of veterans on the injured list and don't need to add any more.