Pardon me for interrupting the extravaganza that is Bus Leagues Awards Week, but I thought this was important.
The Los Angeles Angels are experiencing some serious problems in the infield. Erick Aybar, Alberto Callaspo, and Maicer Izturis have missed time recently with injuries, Kendry Morales‘s season ended in May, Howie Kendrick has been average, and Brandon Wood has suffered through a historically terrible season (OPS+: 7).
In an attempt to plug the gaps, the team dug into the minor league system earlier this month, calling up minor league homerun co-leader Mark Trumbo. Trumbo made his debut on September 11 and has since appeared in four games, striking out six times in nine hitless at-bats.
Last week, the Halos went back to the well, recalling shortstop Andrew Romine. Romine, of course, is the son of former Red Sox outfielder Kevin Romine and the older brother of Yankees prospect Austin Romine. The 24-year-old hit .282 with three homeruns, 34 RBI, and 21 stolen bases this season for Double-A Arkansas.
Romine made his debut on Friday, going 0-3 with two strikeouts, and picked up his first hit, a single, on Sunday.
The bottom of the Angels order had a very futuristic feel on Friday and Monday, with 22-year-old catcher Hank Conger hitting sixth, 24-year-old Trumbo hitting seventh and playing first, 25-year-old Wood hitting eighth and playing third, and the shortstop Romine hitting ninth. (23-year-old rookie centerfielder Peter Bourjos hit leadoff in both games.) The quartet went 0-13 with five strikeouts on Friday and 3-11 with an RBI on Sunday.
