Angels to Begin Year with Two Starters on IL

The Los Angeles Angels can ill-afford a poor start to the season in 2023. If they do start slow, the conversations will only grow louder about if and when they should trade Shohei Othani.

And then after that, the conversation will only grow louder about whether or not they should trade Mike Trout.

The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2014, so starting fast and avoiding those conversations is imperative, but that may have gotten a little harder on Monday, as it was announced that the Angels will be a little short-handed when the team breaks camp.

Jared Walsh, Max Stassi To Start Season On Injured List; Angels To Select Jake Lamb https://t.co/BmHxyyMfxe pic.twitter.com/w9FwB6dzh4
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 27, 2023

In Walsh, the Halos are losing their first baseman and a player that they are counting on to rebound in 2023. He was an All-Star in 2021, belting 29 homers and producing 98 RBIs while hitting .277. Last year he slumped to a .215 average with 15 homers and 44 RBIs.

He's currently battling headaches and insomnia and is likely to be replaced at first base by some combination of Jake Lamb and Matt Thaiss. Lamb is set to have his contract selected after spending 2022 with the Dodgers and Mariners.

That's a tough blow to an offense that ranked 24th in Major League Baseball last year with a .233 collective average.

The loss of starting catcher, Stassi, to a hip injury is also a tough blow to a pitching staff that is being counted on to improve as well. The team added lefty Tyler Anderson in free agency and brought in Carlos Estevez to help solidify the back end of the bullpen.

With Stassi out, the team's top catching prospect, Logan O'Hoppe, will get his first taste of big-league action.

There's currently no timetable for Stassi's return.

The Angels open up the season on Thursday against Oakland with Ohtani on the mound at 7:07 PST.