ANAHEIM — A dream hot streak for Sebastian Rivero came to a crashing end as quickly as it began.
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Rivero was diagnosed with a broken hamate bone in his left hand on Wednesday, an injury that the Angels catcher expects to keep him out for around four weeks. Rivero said he will have surgery to have the bone removed.
“There were some tears in my eyes last night after I got pulled out of the game,” Rivero said on Wednesday. “I’m a fighter. I didn’t want to come out of the game. I knew I could just fight that two-strike at-bat. It just happens, you know.”
Rivero was understandably confident that he could get a hit, even with a painful left hand. He had hits in his previous seven at-bats, five in a victory over the Dodgers on Sunday and two more in his first two trips to the plate against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
Rivero was making a case for more playing time, but now he’ll have to wait.
In the meantime, the Angels called up catcher Logan Porter to be Logan O’Hoppe’s backup. The Angels had just signed Porter a few days earlier.
Porter, 30, has previously been in the big leagues with the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants, for a total of 16 games. He played one game in the majors this season with the Giants before they designated him for assignment.
“From what I’ve heard and seen some of the stuff, stats-wise and stuff, he’s a really good defensive catcher and can do some things with the bat too,” Suzuki said. “We’re excited to have him here and and looking forward to it.”
The Angels opened a spot for Porter on the 40-man roster by moving right-hander Jack Kochanowicz to the 60-day injured list. Kochanowicz is set to undergo Tommy John surgery.
NO GUZMAN
Third baseman Denzer Guzman was not in the lineup after starting the first two games since his recall on Monday. Nick Madrigal was in the lineup instead.
Guzman was hitless in 10 at-bats in his first two games. He also made a critical error in judgment when he picked up a bunt that was rolling foul in the 10th inning of Monday’s loss.
Suzuki said when Guzman arrived that he would essentially be the everyday third baseman, and he stuck to that stance even after giving him the day off on Wednesday.
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“I’m not going to run this guy into the ground,” Suzuki said. “I know it’s only two games, but Madrigal’s playing really well right now. To get Nicky back in the lineup and and have him play, and Guzie has a day where he gets to get some work in with (infield coach Andy Schatzley) and do some stuff, I think is a good thing.”
NOTES
The Angels still had not decided who will start on Friday, in Kochanowicz’s spot, Suzuki said before Wednesday’s game. The most likely candidates were left-hander Sam Aldegheri, who is currently in the major league bullpen, or right-hander Caden Dana, who is in Triple-A. …
First baseman Nolan Schanuel was not in the lineup a day after getting hit in the calf by a pitch. Suzuki said Schanuel was available off the bench, and he should be available to play on Friday, after Thursday’s off day. …
Infielder Vaughn Grissom (oblique) started taking some swings, running and taking some ground balls. Grissom said he’s optimistic that the Angels shut him down before he aggravated the injury to the point that it would be an extended absence. …
Third baseman Yoán Moncada’s locker has been removed from the Angels’ clubhouse, which isn’t unusual for a player rehabbing from a long-term injury. Moncada is set to have knee surgery. …
Right-handed reliever Ben Joyce, who also doesn’t have a locker, is still in Arizona throwing, but he hasn’t been on a mound. MLB’s official transactions erroneously reported that Joyce was starting a rehab assignment with Rancho Cucamonga. …
Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (plantar fasciitis) is now walking without a boot. He was on the field playing catch on Wednesday. …
Suzuki was asked about moving Wade Meckler into the leadoff spot, and he said he likes him hitting third, behind Zach Neto and Mike Trout. “I kind of like him where he is right now,” Suzuki said of Meckler. “I feel like he can do pretty much anything in any spot of the lineup. I like him anywhere, but I think the No. 3 spot is really good, hitting behind Mike and Zach. I think it’s a good spot for him.”
UP NEXT
Rays (LHP Shane McClanahan, 6-3, 2.85 ERA) at Angels (TBD), Friday, 6:38 p.m., ABTV, 830 AM
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