Angels News: Matt Thaiss May Not Play Defense Again This Season

Despite being on the active roster, Matt Thaiss is only partially available.

The 2023 season has been unkind to the Los Angeles Angels. When you look back and wonder what the heck happened, injuries will be the story of the season. 65 different players have suited up for the team this year. Things are so dire when it comes to depth for the Halos, catcher Matt Thaiss is a player on the active roster but nowhere near 100% health wise.

The veteran catcher has been dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder that has affected his throwing and kept him mostly DHing since being surprisingly activated off the injured list last week.

“He’s not 100% yet,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said this weekend. “To make unstaged throws, maybe it’s a bunt play he’s got to make or a ball gets away and you got to throw a ball on the run, I don’t think he’s quite ready for that. I’d be nervous having him do that.”

“I just wouldn’t feel good about him going out and hurting himself and chipping away at anything that could happen next spring or next season,” Nevin said.

Via OC Register

Thaiss has never been much known for his bat, hitting just .209 lifetime since 2019. Still, he's shown a little pop at the place this season, hitting 9 home runs in 95 games.

Notably, he has just 1 hit in September and hasn't played in a game in nearly two weeks.

Following Sunday's game in Minnesota, the Angels mercifully have just 6 games left on the calendar and they're all at Angel Stadium.