Angels News: Andrew Velazquez Sent to AAA as Matt Thaiss Returns from IL

Angels making moves before Sunday's game

The Angels roster has been shaken up a little bit before they take on the A's in Sunday's series finale. 

The Halos sent down Andrew Velazquez to Triple-A Salt Lake City. In a corresponding move, the team has brought back Matt Thaiss after an extended stay on the injured list. 

#Angels Transactions:
•Reinstated C Matt Thaiss from injured list
•Optioned INF Andrew Velazquez to Triple-A Salt Lake

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) September 3, 2023

Velazquez has been a solid player defensively at shortstop but his bat has put him behind this season. 

The 28-year-old was hitting .173 in 81 at-bats this season. That is one of the lowest batting averages in the league.

He has not been known for his performance at the plate in his career. In parts of six seasons, Velazquez's career batting average is .189. He also irked manager Phil Nevin on Saturday night with an ill-advised stolen base attempt where Velazquez was caught stealing. “We gotta play smarter than that,” Nevin said following the 2-1 loss.

Hopefully for the shortstop, a trip to Triple-A may help his play at the plate. Over almost 3,000 at-bats in the minors, Velazquez is hitting .269 with 51 home runs and nearly 300 RBIs. 

The Angels are getting someone who is more reliable on offense with the addition of Matt Thaiss. 

Before a right shoulder injury put him on the IL for the past week, Thaiss was hitting .223 with regular playing time for the Halos. 

The catcher is putting up career numbers this year in his fifth season. Through 90 games he has career highs in RBIs (30), on-base percentage (.330) and walks (35). 

With the addition of Thaiss back in the lineup, the Angles now have more options at catcher behind Logan O'Hoppe and Chad Wallach. 

Although it may seem that the Angels season is over, these two players are going to continue their journey as big league players at both levels.