Angels News: Phil Nevin Avoided Injured Outfielder as Loss to Dodgers Unfolded

The Angels just cannot seem to catch a break.

When the Angels last played a game that counted, something happened that seems to be a painfully regular occurrence. A player was forced to leave a game due to injury.

In his first at-bat against the Dodgers in LA on Saturday night, outfielder Jo Adell felt something grab in his left oblique. At the time, Phil Nevin's bench was a little more thing than usual as the manager tried to also avoid another ailing outfielder in Taylor Ward, who had been dealing with some lingering groin issues. 

As the Adell injury happened, no one know about Ward's status. After the game, Nevin provided the update.

Nevin said he did not want to use Taylor Ward in the OF because of his groin. He could have hit, though.

"I'm a little worried about where he's at. Was he available? To a point yes. But not to go in for defense. I'm really wanting to be cautious with him today."

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 9, 2023

It's a recurring theme for the Angels this season -- injuries and unavailability. Along with Ward's status, Anthony Rendon was also sidelined as he recovers from a nasty foul ball taken off the shin earlier in the week.

Hopefully both players will be healthy and ready to go as the season restarts on Friday against the Houston Astros.

In place of Adell, and with no Ward, Luis Rengifo was forced to play left field for only the seventh time as a big leaguer and, on at least one play, that lack of experience showed.

And now they're down 6-0 in the second. Will Smith advances to second on the throw from Luis Rengifo. pic.twitter.com/W7XswDMQ8F

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 9, 2023