Angels' Outfielder Cleared to Make First Start of 2024

Eva Geitheim | Apr 1, 2024

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Angels will see the return of Mickey Moniak to the lineup on Monday. Moniak will make his first start of the season after missing the Angels' first three games of the season due to an illness. Moniak will bat eighth and play right field for the Angels, via Bally Sports West's Erica Weston.

Angels today in game 1 from Miami: pic.twitter.com/JgDC622kvS

— Erica Weston (@EricaLWeston) April 1, 2024

Moniak joins the Angels after missing their opening series of the 2024 regular season against the Baltimore Orioles, in which the Angels finished 1-2. Now, Moniak will help the Angels starting in their first of three games at the Miami Marlins. The Angels come into this game after earning their first win of the season on Monday.

The former first overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies is coming off the most productive season of his career in 2023. Moniak played in 85 games last year while taking 311 at-bats. These were easily the most of Moniak's career, as in previous seasons he had appeared in no more than 21 games.

Moniak recorded 87 hits, 35 runs, 14 home runs and 45 RBIs while recording a career-best .280 batting average. Now an established member of the Angels' lineup, Moniak will look to build off this strong 2023 campaign starting Monday.