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Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward went 2-for-6 in Saturday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Rangers. Both of Ward's hits went for extra bases, one for a double and the other a solo home run. The home run was his tenth of the year, and the 30-year-old is looking like one of the better values in fantasy drafts this year after having an ADP in the 200s. On the season, the former first-round MLB draft pick has a .275-10-28-27-2 line with a .352 wOBA and 127 wRC+.
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell hit his eighth home run of the season in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Rangers. The homer was a solo shot and Adell's only hit in the contest, although he also walked twice and stole a base. The 25-year-old has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, including four home runs, but is hitting just .250 during that stretch and on the season. Still, it's easily his most prolific offensive season yet as he is slashing .250/.320/.528 with a .364 wOBA and 136 wRC+. Contact% and Barrel% are by far career highs and the K% (24.4%) is finally at a palatable level. The former first-round MLB draft pick is making the most of his regular playing time and hopefully he can keep it up.
The Los Angeles Angels acquired right-hander Roansy Contreras from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, according to sources. The Pirates had designated Contreras for assignment last Saturday. The 24-year-old Dominican hurler went 1-0 with the Pirates with a 4.41 ERA (5.01 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with eight walks and 16 strikeouts in 16 1/3 relief innings over 12 outings out of the bullpen this year before being traded to the American League. In his four big-league seasons in Pittsburgh, Contreras has made 53 appearances, with 30 of them coming in a starting role, so he could become an option to make some spot starts for the Halos eventually. Contreras has a career 4.83 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with weak 20.2% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate. Fantasy managers can continue ignoring him.
The Los Angeles Angels reinstated infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned infielder Niko Goodrum and right-hander Davis Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake after Wednesday night's game in a corresponding move. Rengifo missed over a week with a viral illness that caused painful blisters on his feet. Now that the 27-year-old is recovered, he should return to everyday duties at third base for the Halos, starting on Friday for their series opener against the Rangers in Texas. Rengifo is due some regression after starting the year with a .330/.378/.462 slash line with two home runs and nine stolen bases in 28 games, but the fact that he's going to play regularly makes him at least a middle-infield bench option in deep-mixed fantasy leagues. He's most useful for his speed in AL-only formats.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning earned his second win of the year on Wednesday in a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals. Canning went six innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits and three walks while striking out five. The lone run came on a solo shot off the bat of Paul Goldschmidt. After a rough start to the season, Canning has pitched well in his three May starts, posting a 1.53 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, a 6:13 BB:K, and limiting opponents to a .190 batting average. His May LOB% of 98.7% is not sustainable though, so he's probably due for some regression. We'll see if he can keep it up as the 28-year-old will take on Houston on the road in his next start.