April 24, 2017 Page 1 of 16

Clips

(April 24, 2017)

April 24, 2017 Page 2 of 16

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Angels dominated by Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman in 6-2 loss

Angels ace Garrett Richards' return is an open-ended waiting game

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5)

Patchwork Angels bullpen falters in loss to Blue Jays

Angels Notes: Garrett Richards shifted to 60-day DL, Cam Bedrosian placed on 10-day DL

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 9)

Pujols now at No. 1 on RBI list for Dominicans

Ninth-inning rally can't erase 'pen's mistakes

Angels add Pounders to bullpen, DFA Yates

Chavez to face former club in finale vs. Jays

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 13)

Stroman throws 7-hitter in Blue Jays' 6-2 win over Angels

Angels recall Brooks Pounders, trade Ryan LaMarre in flurry of moves

FROM CBS SPORTS (Page 16)

Mother of former NFL player listens to her son's heartbeat in Rod Carew

April 24, 2017 Page 3 of 16

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels dominated by Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman in 6-2 loss

By Pedro Moura

The Angels carried a one-run lead into Sunday’s eighth inning at Angel Stadium. That they took it even

that far was highly improbable, considering their starter, the beyond beleaguered state of their bullpen

and their opponent.

The game’s remaining innings hewed closer to expectations, as the Angels’ relievers let up and talented

Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman did not. He required only 99 pitches to complete the Blue Jays’ 6-

2 matinee victory. At one point, he retired 17 consecutive Angels.

Stroman, a feisty 5-foot-8 Long Island native, desires to deceive the opposition by delaying his delivery

at times and speeding it up on other occasions. It can appear random. In a 3-and-1 count in the third

inning, he quick-pitched a strike to Kole Calhoun, who was not yet set in his stance.

Umpire Ramon De Jesus penalized Stroman with a ball, which elicited protests from the pitcher and

manager John Gibbons. De Jesus ejected Gibbons.

Calhoun said when he had looked up at Stroman, the ball was already heading toward him.

“To be honest, I didn’t really know what the [heck] would happen right there,” Calhoun said. “He told

me ball four, so I just went to first base and let them figure it out.”

Stroman successfully executed the maneuver a few more times. But once Calhoun was awarded first

base, Mike Trout soon singled, and Albert Pujols did too, scoring the club its first run. After doubling in

the ninth inning, Pujols scored the Angels’ second run on a Andrelton Simmons single.

After Ezequiel Carrera singled in the first inning against Angels spot starter Daniel Wright, left fielder Ben

Revere bobbled Jose Bautista’s single and threw late into the infield, but shortstop Simmons cut off the

throw to third base and flipped it to second, where he got Bautista out trying for second.

Wright struck out ex-Angel Kendrys Morales to end the first and finished the second with ease. He

issued a two-out walk to Kevin Pillar in the third, then picked him off, and walked Carrera to lead off the

fourth. He picked him off, too.

“I kind of got lucky,” Wright said. “I caught a couple guys leaning.”

Wright worked around a leadoff single to finish the fifth without a run tarnishing his career-best line.

Manager Mike Scioscia determined he’d extracted all he could, and attempted to piece together 12 outs

from his patchwork bullpen.

“He did what we hoped for this afternoon,” Scioscia said.

April 24, 2017 Page 4 of 16

In came right-hander Blake Parker for an inning, then left-hander Jose Alvarez, and right-hander Deolis

Guerra for the eighth. Guerra issued a leadoff walk, and then yielded a one-out homer to Devon Travis.

Scioscia had little to choose from for further relief. Right-hander Bud Norris pitched Friday and Saturday

and has never pitched in three consecutive games. Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit threw three innings

Friday.

So, burly right-hander Brooks Pounders jogged in for his Angels debut. Over 1 1/3 innings, he gave up

two homers, a triple, a double, a single and a walk, turning a game within reach into a rout.

“Everybody’s been pitching a lot down there,” Scioscia said. “This is one of those games where it came

back and got us a bit. There comes a point where it’ll get you, and it did this afternoon.”

The Angels (8-12) hope that point does not reemerge, but indications are it will. At the start of spring

training, the industry consensus said their top four relievers were Cam Bedrosian, Huston

Street, Andrew Bailey and JC Ramirez. None of those men are in the current bullpen.

The Angels’ minus-20 run differential is the American League’s worst. Among AL West teams, they’ve

scored the fewest runs and given up the most.

Angels ace Garrett Richards' return is an open-ended waiting game

By Pedro Moura

Garrett Richards and the Angels have no idea when he can return to pitching. The nerve irritation within

his right biceps has not abated since it was diagnosed April 7, so he and the team can only wait.

“There’s no timetable,” Richards said Sunday. “With nerves, they have a mind of their own. They

regenerate at their own pace. It’s mainly just staying strong, staying in shape, and waiting for this thing

to regenerate.

“It sucks, but it is what it is.”

Richards exited his first start of the season on April 5 with what was initially diagnosed as a biceps

cramp, then a strain within the biceps muscle. At that time, sources told The Times the initial MRI

examination showed nerve irritation in that muscle. On Saturday, the Angels moved Richards to the 60-

day disabled list because of that irritation, rendering him ineligible to return before June 5.

He has not thrown a baseball since that first start. The team tests his biceps regularly, via methods

general manager Billy Eppler has said he will not reveal. When the strength improves enough, he’ll

resume throwing.

“I feel good, other than the fact that my biceps just isn’t strong right now,” Richards said. “The nerve

being irritated is contributing to the pace that my strength is coming back. Obviously I’m disappointed

considering all the work that I put in to get back from last year, but it’s nothing I haven’t gone through

before.

April 24, 2017 Page 5 of 16

“The nerve isn’t helping my bicep contract and fire, which is why the lack of strength is there. But we’re

confident that with time it’ll come back to normal.”

Richards made only six starts last season before exiting a May 1 start with what was initially diagnosed

as dehydration, and then the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that ended his season. He

received a stem-cell injection that regenerated the ligament and allowed him to pitch in instructional

league games in October. He built up his stamina in spring training.

“You feel so good coming into the season,” he said. “You have a good spring. Everything is back to

normal, kind of. You start feeling more and more like yourself. And then you have something like this

come up. It’s disappointing.”

Two weeks ago, Richards was convinced he’d be back pitching by now. He’s now far less confident, but

trying to keep his perspective in a productive place.

“There are a lot of positives working in my favor,” he said. “But it’s hard to look at the positives when

you have so much negative going on.”

Still, Richards’ elbow remains structurally sound, a source of continued encouragement for him.

“My elbow and my shoulder have never felt any better than they do right now,” he said. “Why wouldn’t

they, with all the rest that I’ve had?”

Short hops

The Angels promoted right-hander Brooks Pounders from triple-A Salt Lake and designated right-

hander Kirby Yates for assignment, switching out relief arms. Asked when he received notice that he had

been called up, Pounders said he did not know. … Infielder Luis Valbuena will begin a minor league

rehab assignment Monday with Class-A Inland Empire. He’ll play third base, first base and some

designated hitter over five to seven games. Valbuena suffered a hamstring strain in March. … Right-

hander Jesse Chavez will start Tuesday against Oakland instead of right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who was

scheduled. Manager Mike Scioscia said Nolasco is “working through some mechanical issues.” … The

Angels traded outfielder Ryan LaMarre to Oakland for cash or a player to be named.

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER .

Patchwork Angels bullpen falters in loss to Blue Jays

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — The Angels pitching staff, currently held together by tape, bubble gum and non-roster

invitees, could only hold on for so long.

April 24, 2017 Page 6 of 16

Their pitching staff ravaged by injuries and overworked of late, the Angels imploded in the final two

innings of a 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

“These guys have pitched a lot,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Everybody has pitched a lot. … There comes

a point where it’ll get you, and it did this afternoon.”

With many of the team’s top pitchers on the disabled list or unavailable, the Angels tried to piece together

nine innings from who was left. They carried a shutout into the eighth before Deolis Guerra gave up a two-

run homer to Devon Travis.

Brooks Pounders, who had been recalled earlier in the day to provide some coverage, then gave up a

homer to Kevin Pillar, the first of four straight hitters to reach base as he allowed the Blue Jays to take a 4-

1 lead. He gave up a two-run homer to Ryan Goins in the ninth.

Guerra and Pounders, both non-roster invitees to spring training, began the season in the minors. The

Angels’ top three relievers — Cam Bedrosian, Huston Street and Andrew Bailey — are on the disabled list.

J.C. Ramirez, probably their fourth best reliever, was pressed into duty as a starter.

Of the Angels’ healthy starters, Jesse Chavez was unavailable to take his scheduled start on Sunday

because he had to pitch in Friday’s 13-inning game. Ricky Nolasco, another candidate to start Sunday, was

unavailable because he is taking some extra time between starts to work on a mechanical issue, Manager

Mike Scioscia said.

That left Daniel Wright, who had a 6.18 ERA in his 10 previous big league games. This time he had little

trouble with the Blue Jays over five innings, and he helped himself by picking off two runners. Wright

nabbed Pillar to end the third and he picked off Ezequiel Carrera after he had led off the fourth with a

walk.

“Daniel did a good job,” said Scioscia, who pulled Wright after five innings and 80 pitches. “He got was

almost at the max of where we felt good with his pitch count. He did what we had hoped this afternoon.”

Wright had thrown 71 and 79 pitches in his two outings in Triple-A, and the most innings he’d pitched had

been five. He said he felt good enough to continue, but he understood that he was “around my pitch

count.”

On the bright side, he got to that number while pitching more effectively than he had in his few big league

opportunities last season. In his first game this season, he gave up three runs upon entering the game, but

then settled down and retired 12 in a row.

“I think I’ve been able to relax and throw my game and get into my groove,” he said. “My first inning when

I was up here, I think I tried to do a little too much and got out of my game. I’ve been able to pitch to my

strengths the last few innings I’ve been up here.”

April 24, 2017 Page 7 of 16

With Wright done, Scioscia needed to maneuver the final 12 outs with essentially a four-man bullpen. The

Angels likely wanted to avoid using Bud Norris, who had pitched two days in a row, and Yusmeiro Petit,

who had pitched three innings on Friday.

Blake Parker, who pitched two innings on Friday, first gave Scioscia one perfect inning. Jose Alvarez, who

was pitching for the sixth time in nine days, added a perfect seventh. Scioscia said he didn’t want to ask for

more from either because of the recent volume of work.

That left Scioscia with Guerra and Pounders to finish it, and they couldn’t.

Guerra, who said his missed the location of a cutter on Travis’ homer, said the relievers have no choice but

to try to withstand the workload.

“It is what it is,” he said. “What are you going to do? We’ve just got to be ready.”

Pitching woes aside, the Angels’ hitters didn’t give them much support with their work against Marcus

Stroman, who retired 17 in a row before the Angels got to him in the ninth.

Their first run was created with the help of plate umpire Ramon De Jesus, who called an illegal pitch on

Stroman for quick-pitching Kole Calhoun in the third inning. There was a 3-and-1 count before the pitch, so

Calhoun drew a walk. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols followed with two-out singles, driving in Calhoun.

Angels Notes: Garrett Richards ‘disappointed’ in latest news regarding bicep

By Jeff Fletcher

ANAHEIM — Garrett Richards is having trouble finding the bright side of the fact that, according to the

tests, there’s still nothing wrong with his elbow.

That’s because the irritated nerve that’s causing weakness in his bicep doesn’t seem to making progress,

so he’s now on the 60-day disabled list, out until at least early June.

“There’s a lot of positives working in my favor,” Richards said. “It’s hard to look at the positive when you

have so much negative going on. … It (stinks). You feel so good coming into the season and have a good

spring and everything is back to normal. You start feeling more and more like yourself. It’s disappointing. I

have to deal with it. There’s nothing I can do about it now.”

Speaking Sunday morning, a day after the Angels announced that Richards was being moved to the 60-day

disabled list, Richards re-iterated that the elbow injury that cost him almost all of last season is not an

issue. He had stem-cell therapy to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament, an alternative to Tommy

John surgery.

Although his current injury is disappointing to Richards, the Angels and their fans, Richards said it’s not

related.

April 24, 2017 Page 8 of 16

“My elbow and my shoulder have never felt any better,” he said. “Why wouldn’t it, with all the rest I’ve

had? I am disappointed with how I feel physically. This is like a nagging thing, I guess. We’re going to deal

with it as it comes, a day and a time and hopefully come back sooner than later.”

Richards felt what he described as a cramp in his bicep in the fifth inning of his first start of the season, on

April 5 at Oakland. At first, he said he expected to make his next start. As the days passed, and the

symptoms didn’t subside sufficiently, his return was pushed back further.

Two MRIs showed no structural damage beyond the nerve irritation, though. Richards said he has been

told there’s nothing that can be done but wait.

“Nerves have a mind of their own,” he said. “They regenerate at their own pace.”

Richards’ injury is the most significant of a handful that have already struck the Angels pitching staff. They

are also without their top three relievers: Cam Bedrosian (groin), Huston Street (strained lat) and Andrew

Bailey (shoulder). Bailey and Street are throwing. Street, however, is also on the 60-day disabled list, so he

can’t come back until June 1, at the earliest.

VALBUENA TO START PLAYING

Luis Valbuena, out with a hamstring injury, will begin a rehab assignment Monday for Class-A Inland

Empire. Manager Mike Scioscia said he will play 5-7 games in the minors before returning.

Valbuena will play first, third and designated hitter in the minors, prepping him to play both positions

when he returns to the majors. He is still expected to get the majority of his time at first, against right-

handed pitchers.

When Valbuena returns, barring another injury, the Angels will have an interesting roster decision

between C.J. Cron and Jefry Marte.

ALSO

Ricky Nolasco could have started on a normal four days rest Sunday, but Nolasco wanted more time to

work on some mechanical adjustments he’s making, Scioscia said. Nolasco threw a bullpen session

Saturday and he was scheduled to throw another Monday. The soonest then that he could be re-inserted

into the rotation would be Wednesday. The Angels have not announced their starters for the Oakland A’s

series, starting Tuesday. …

The Angels designated Kirby Yates for assignment to make room for Brooks Pounders, who was recalled

from Triple-A to fortify the bullpen…

The Angels traded outfielder Ryan LaMarre to the A’s for cash considerations or a player to be named.

LaMarre had been designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster last week. …

Carlos Perez had five hits in his first 10 at-bats at Triple-A. Perez was optioned Wednesday because the

Angels wanted him to work on some things, offensively and defensively. …

April 24, 2017 Page 9 of 16

Cincinnati Reds prospect Tyler Mahle pitched a perfect game against the Angels’ Double-A team Saturday

night. Mahle is the younger brother of Angels prospect Greg Mahle. The brothers are products of

Westminster High.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Pujols now at No. 1 on RBI list for Dominicans

Third-inning single puts him at 18th on MLB's all-time list

By Chad Thornburg / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols achieved several statistical milestones in Sunday's 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays,

climbing MLB's all-time lists for RBIs and doubles.

Pujols' 1,832nd RBI moved him past Manny Ramirez for sole possession of 18th place all-time and put

him ahead of Ramirez for first among Dominican-born Major Leaguers. He also clubbed the 605th

double of his career, tying Paul Molitor for 12th in MLB history.

"It's pretty special, obviously, if you look at the Dominican players who have played this game," Pujols

said. "You can't ignore it, your place in history, but I'm not really focused on that. I'm focused on trying

to do the best that I can to help this ballclub win every day, and that's my job."

Pujols plated the Angels' first run, scoring Kole Calhoun with an RBI single to center against Toronto

starter Marcus Stroman in the third inning. He now has 15 on the season, bringing his total with Los

Angeles to 503. He drove in 1,329 runs with the Cardinals from 2001-11.

He added a double off Stroman in the ninth inning, his third of 2017 and 150th with the Angels, and then

came around to score the Angels' second run on Andrelton Simmons' single. Pujols finished 3-for-4,

collecting his second three-hit performance of the series.

The Angels slugger could quickly vault up the all-time RBIs list this season. One more and he'll tie Dave

Winfield for 17th place (1,833). After Winfield, Pujols' next 11 RBIs will advance him past Rafael

Palmeiro (1,835), Ken Griffey Jr. (1,836) and Ted Williams (1,839) to tie Carl Yastrzemski (1,844).

Pujols has a ways to go to catch Hank Aaron, the all-time record holder with 2,297. The next closest

active player is Miguel Cabrera, who has 1,562 RBIs on his resume.

He'll need 19 more doubles to continue climbing that list and catch Aaron at No. 11 (624). The

Rangers' Adrian Beltre (591) is nearest among active players in doubles, while Tris Speaker ranks first all-

time with 792 throughout his 22-year career.

"When I'm done and retired, I think I can look back," Pujols said. "But as of right now, my focus is to help

this ballclub win."

April 24, 2017 Page 10 of 16

Ninth-inning rally can't erase 'pen's mistakes

By Austin Laymance and Chad Thornburg / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- A dominant performance by Marcus Stroman and a trio of late home runs from Devon

Travis, Kevin Pillar and Ryan Goins helped propel the Blue Jays past the Angels for a 6-2 victory Sunday

afternoon at Angel Stadium. The win gave Toronto a 2-1 edge in the series heading into Monday's finale.

"I think the biggest thing was Stroman out there dealing, and it was just time for the offense to wake up

a little bit and I'm just really thankful it worked out the way it did," Travis said.

Stroman needed 99 pitches to work nine innings, striking out five and allowing two runs (one earned) .

He's the only pitcher in the Majors this season with two complete games and the first Blue Jay with a

complete-game victory of under 100 pitches since R.A. Dickey on Sept. 2, 2015.

"That's my goal, to go nine and give the bullpen a day off," said Stroman, who picked up his first career

win against the Angels.

The Blue Jays' offense stalled for much of Sunday's contest, but broke out for six runs in the eighth and

ninth. The Angels led for seven innings on a run that was scored after a controversial walk in the third

inning that saw Toronto manager John Gibbons ejected from the game.

Gibbons was tossed by home-plate umpire Ramon De Jesus while arguing a call that awarded Calhoun

first base on an illegal quick pitch by Stroman, on a 3-1 count. Calhoun would then come around to score

the game's first run as Mike Trout and Albert Pujols followed with back-to-back singles against Stroman.

Pujols' RBI was the 1,832nd of his career, moving him past Manny Ramirez for sole possession of 18th

place on MLB's all-time RBI list.

Angels starter Daniel Wright tossed five scoreless innings in his second Major League appearance and

first start of 2017. He exited after 80 pitches, more than he had thrown in either of his two Minor

League starts this season, but said he felt like he could have returned for the sixth.

"I'm able to relax out there and kind of throw my game, get into a groove," Wright said of his growing

comfort in the big leagues. "My first inning when I was up here I think I tried to do a little bit too much

and got out of my game. I've been able to pitch to my strengths in the last few innings I've been up here,

so I feel good and I'm ready to keep going."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Illegal quick pitch: The third-inning confusion over Stroman's illegal quick pitch not only cost the Blue

Jays their manager for the afternoon, but also handed the Angels an early lead. Per MLB rule 6.02, an

illegal quick pitch is scored as a ball when there are no runners on base, as was the case when Calhoun

came to the plate with two outs in the third. The pitch in question came on a 3-1 count, which resulted

in Calhoun receiving a walk on a pitch that was clearly in the strike zone.

April 24, 2017 Page 11 of 16

"I got in the box, I looked up, the pitch was already on its way," Calhoun said. "The umpire called a quick

pitch on it. To be honest, I really didn't know what ... would happen right there. He told me ball four, so I

just went to first base and let them figure it out."

Gibbons walked out onto the field to talk to the umpires and was ejected after a few minutes of

discussion. Stroman then surrendered consecutive singles to Trout and Pujols, the latter scoring

Calhoun.

"There was no reason for it," Stroman said of the umpire's decision. "I didn't really get an explanation as

to why I couldn't or shouldn't do it, so that was the only thing why I was a little upset."

Blue Jays go yard: The Blue Jays finally got to the Angels' pitching staff when Russell Martin drew a

leadoff walk in the eighth and Travis brought him home with a two-run shot against Angels

reliever Deolis Guerra. Travis' first home run of 2017 had an exit velocity of 103.9 mph and a 25-degree

launch angle, per Statcast™.

Right-hander Brooks Pounders relieved Guerra, but promptly surrendered a solo homer to Pillar -- which

extended Pillar's hitting streak to 11 games -- followed by a triple, a walk and an RBI single to the first

four batters he faced in his Angels debut.

Goins stretched Toronto's lead to 6-1 in the ninth with his own two-run homer against Pounders, his

first long ball of the season.

"We started out slow and we came to life late," Gibbons said. "We needed it. I figured it was a matter of

time. Perfect day for it."

QUOTABLE

"To get that late in the game, and to be able to get a win, it's just a feel-good moment for the entire

team." -- Stroman

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Pujols 1,832nd career RBI not only moved him past Ramirez to 18th place on MLB's all-time RBI list, it

also put him in first place for RBIs by a Dominican-born player. His next RBI will tie him with Dave

Winfield for 17th place (1,833).

Pujols also collected his 605th career double in the ninth inning, tying Paul Molitor for 12th all-time.

DIVING GRAB

Pillar made a diving catch to take a hit away from Calhoun for the third out of the eighth inning. It was a

four-star catch, per Statcast™, which calculated a 29 percent catch probability.

"That's what he does," Gibbons said. "It's no shock to us."

WHAT'S NEXT

Blue Jays: Francisco Liriano starts for the Blue Jays in the series finale against the Angels on Monday

April 24, 2017 Page 12 of 16

night. The left-hander is looking to build off consecutive strong starts. First pitch is scheduled for 10:07

p.m. ET.

Angels: The Angels will hand the ball to right-hander Jesse Chavez in Monday's 7:07 p.m. PT finale.

Chavez was the losing pitcher in Friday's 13-inning opener when he surrendered a tiebreaking three-run

homer to Bautista.

Angels add Pounders to bullpen, DFA Yates

By Chad Thornburg / MLB.com

The Angels made an adjustment to their bullpen prior to Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Blue

Jays, recalling right-hander Brooks Pounders and designating Kirby Yates for assignment.

Pounders, 26, is making his first appearance on the Angels' active roster since he was acquired in a trade

with the Royals in December for Minor League pitcher Jared Ruxer.

Pounders made his Major League debut with Kansas City last season, but he struggled in 13 relief

appearances, allowing 13 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings for a 9.24 ERA.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he's pleased with how Pounders has progressed since Spring

Training. The righty was performing well for Triple-A Salt Lake -- he posted a 1.64 ERA through 11 innings

-- and can fill a multi-inning relief role for L.A.

"I think his arm is where it needs to be, his velocity has picked up," Scioscia said. "He's a guy that spins

the ball well and he's got some life on his fastball, so he's throwing the ball much better right now than

he did, especially early in spring for us. He's just gotten to be where he needs to be."

Yates, meanwhile, returns to the Minors after a one-game stint in Anaheim. He pitched the eighth inning

against the Blue Jays on Saturday and surrendered two runs, including a home run by Toronto's Kevin

Pillar.

Worth noting

• Jesse Chavez will start Monday's finale against Toronto. Chavez was slated to pitch Sunday, but his

outing was pushed back after he was needed in relief in Friday's 13-inning contest.

• JC Ramirez, Matt Shoemaker and Ricky Nolasco will pitch in the Oakland series, beginning Tuesday.

Nolasco was given additional days off to address a mechanical issue, Scioscia said. Nolasco threw a

bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled for another Monday.

• The Angels dealt Minor League outfielder Ryan LaMarre to the A's on Sunday for a player to be named

or cash considerations. LaMarre, who signed with the Angels in November, was batting .268 with seven

RBIs, six walks and four stolen bases in 10 games with Triple-A Salt Lake.

April 24, 2017 Page 13 of 16

• Luis Valbuena (right hamstring strain) will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Inland

Empire on Monday in Modesto, Calif. He's scheduled to play five to seven games in the California League

and will begin by playing third base Monday.

Chavez to face former club in finale vs. Jays

By Austin Laymance / MLB.com

The Blue Jays and Angels wrap up their four-game series Monday night at Angel Stadium, with Francisco

Liriano starting for Toronto, opposite Jesse Chavez.

Liriano will be looking to build off two consecutive strong starts. The left-hander held the Red Sox

scoreless over 5 1/3 innings in his last outing to pick up his first win of the season. He previously struck

out 10 over 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the Orioles on April 13.

Chavez had his start pushed back from Sunday because he was needed in the series opener, which the

Blue Jays won in 13 innings. In his last start, the right-hander limited the Astros to two runs (one earned)

over seven innings.

Three things to know about this game

• In six career starts at Angel Stadium, Liriano is 2-4 with a 5.24 ERA in 34 1/3 innings. He has struck out

27 with 16 walks and has allowed seven home runs.

• Chavez made 39 relief appearances for the Blue Jays last season. In his career against Toronto, he's 0-4

with an 8.53 ERA in 12 2/3 innings over four appearances (two starts).

• Angels center fielder Mike Trout is 5-for-13 (.385) lifetime against Liriano, with three RBIs and two

walks

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stroman throws 7-hitter in Blue Jays' 6-2 win over Angels

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Although Marcus Stroman had no idea why he was called for an illegal quick-pitch, he

refused to allow the unusual umpiring decision to stop him from carrying the Toronto Blue Jays to

another win in their climb out of a huge early-season hole.

He pitched a seven-hitter and Devon Travis hit a go-ahead, two-run homer during a four-run eighth

inning in the Blue Jays' 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Stroman (2-2) was angered when home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus awarded first base to Kole

Calhoun in the third inning for throwing a 3-1 pitch before Calhoun was deemed to be ready. Toronto

manager John Gibbons was ejected for arguing the call, and the Angels scored on back-to-back singles

immediately afterward.

April 24, 2017 Page 14 of 16

Stroman escaped the jam, took a few deep breaths and didn't allow a baserunner in the next five

innings, retiring 17 consecutive Halos. When the Blue Jays' bats finally came alive in the eighth, Stroman

was on his way to his third career complete game -- and his second in 12 days.

"That's why I work as hard as I do," Stroman said. "I think it's good for our guys. I think it gives our

bullpen a day off, lets guys rejuvenate, get healthy down there, and I think it gives our offense, our guys,

a little bit more motivation going deep. That's my goal every time."

Albert Pujols delivered a run-scoring single for the Angels, who have lost 10 of 12 with an injury-plagued

pitching staff.

Kevin Pillar added a solo shot moments after Travis' slump-busting homer for the Blue Jays (5-13), who

are off to the worst start in franchise history even with three wins in five games.

"We started out slow and came to life late," Gibbons said. "I had a good view in here (in the clubhouse)."

QUICK PITCH

Stroman still isn't sure exactly what he did wrong in De Jesus' eyes, since he didn't get an explanation --

and he used the same abbreviated delivery later in the game without getting called.

"There was no reason for it," Stroman said. "I didn't really get an explanation as to why I couldn't or

shouldn't do it, so that was the only thing wrong. I was a little bit upset."

Gibbons said he also wasn't sure why De Jesus made the ruling, which "shocked me a little bit."

Stroman said catcher Russell Martin calmed him down. He also plans to use that short delivery in the

future.

"I don't think it's going to be something that I'm worried about going forward," Stroman said.

BIG FINISH

Stroman survived a rocky ninth by inducing a game-ending double play, but Toronto's exuberant

celebration drew the Angels' ire. Pujols stepped onto the field, and several Angels glared from the

dugout during the Jays' celebration.

"I'm going to talk to Pujols," Stroman said. "Lot of respect for that guy. Talked to him in the past. I

understand things could have got skewed a bit, but I love Pujols."

PITCHING WOES

With eight Angels pitchers on the DL, Daniel Wright pitched five innings of scoreless three-hit ball in his

first start of the season. Their third reliever, Deolis Guerra (0-1), gave up the go-ahead homer by Travis,

who was off to a 6-for-57 start to the season.

ALBERT'S CLIMB

April 24, 2017 Page 15 of 16

Pujols' 1,832nd career RBI put him one behind Dave Winfield for 17th place in baseball history. Pujols

added his 605th career double in the ninth, breaking his tie with Paul Waner and pulling even with Paul

Molitor for 12th place.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: Right-hander Aaron Sanchez is tested his blistered finger by throwing in the outfield. He plans

to throw off a mound soon.

Angels: 1B Luis Valbuena is headed to San Bernardino for a weeklong rehabilitation assignment. The

veteran strained his hamstring in March.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: Francisco Liriano (1-1, 4.05 ERA) takes the mound in the four-game series finale.

Angels: Jesse Chavez (1-3, 5.00 ERA) had his start pushed back after he was needed in relief during the

13-inning series opener Friday. He took the loss after giving up Bautista's three-run homer.

Angels recall Brooks Pounders, trade Ryan LaMarre in flurry of moves

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels have recalled right-hander Brooks Pounders and designated

right-hander Kirby Yates for assignment.

The Angels made the latest moves to shore up their injury-plagued pitching staff Sunday. The team had

eight pitchers on the disabled list just 18 games into the season.

Cam Bedrosian was the latest to be shelved this weekend, leaving Los Angeles without its top three

relievers: Bedrosian, Huston Street and Andrew Bailey.

Los Angeles also traded outfielder Ryan LaMarre to the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations. The

new signee was designated for assignment earlier in the week after the Angels needed more room on

their 40-man roster.

Pounders is 1-0 with one save in five appearances for Triple-A Salt Lake this season. The Angels acquired

the reliever from Kansas City in December.

April 24, 2017 Page 16 of 16

FROM CBS SPORTS

Mother of former NFL player listens to her son's heartbeat in Rod Carew

Konrad Reuland's heart was donated to Hall of Famer Rod Carew in December

By Mike Axisa

Back in December, Hall of Famer Rod Carew received a heart and kidney transplantafter suffering a

massive heart attack in September 2015. He had been living with a mechanical device that pumps blood

in the meantime.

Earlier this month we learned the heart and kidney Carew, now 71, received came from

former NFL player Konrad Reuland. Mary Reuland, Konrad's mother, did the research on her own to

discover her son's organs were donated to Carew .

She recently sat down with Carew and was able to listen to her son's heartbeat through the Hall of

Famer.

"It was miraculous. It was just a wonderful thing to be able to hear a part of my son still here on Earth,"

said Mary Reuland to NBC Nightly News.

Konrad suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away in December at age 29. A few days later his organs

were donated, including his heart and a kidney to Carew. Reuland played for four NFL teams from 2011-

16.

"He wanted to always help other people and that's the way he lived his life," added Mary. continuing, "I

feel that in some divine way Konrad is up there directing where his parts went. His kidney went to

somebody wonderful as well, and I'm sure his liver did too. So he saved some more people."