Angels Pitcher To Miss Opening Day, Potentially Opening Spot in Rotation

Others will need to step up in his absence.

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Sam Bachman is expected to miss the first month of the season. He had shoulder surgery last fall and is making progress in his recovery, but he isn't exactly where he needs to be right now.

Angels RHP Sam Bachman, who had shoulder surgery last fall, said he’s making progress but won’t be ready by Opening Day. He said he expects to miss the first month.

Bachman is likely ticketed for the AAA rotation when he’s healthy.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 15, 2024

Bachman was expected to factor into the competition for the Angels' fifth starter job, but those ambitions will have to wait for at least a month. Coming off his injury and rushing him back could cause more issues long-term. 

Last season with the Angels, Bachman was limited to just 17 innings of work. But he did show some real promise during that time.

He posted an ERA of 3.11 and a WHIP of 1.65, all while striking out 14 batters. Bachman also notched one save early in the season against the Kansas City Royals, showing his flexibility to pitch out of the bullpen.

Bachman's time in Triple-A was subject to the usual inflated batting stats of the Pacific Coast League; he posted an ERA of 5.81 over six games in 2023.

The former first-round pick is still only 24 years old, giving him plenty of time to make an impact with the Angels' organization. 

The team is very high on him entering the year, so his delay is a minor blow to the start. But they are hopeful that he can return to the mound shortly to help them compete.

Meanwhile, the camp battle to become the Angels' fifth starter dwindles. Chase Silseth, Jose Suarez, Zach Plesac, Drew Pomeranz and others will face one less competitor to begin the season in the starting rotation.

All four are candidates to begin the season in the bullpen, too. Among them, only Suarez cannot be optioned to the minors.