Matthew

Lugo

Lugo is 12-for-44 with one homer and 10 walks. After a breakthrough 2024 in the Red Sox system, he spent most of last season in Triple-A for the Angels, hitting a disappointing .262/.320/.443 at Sale Lake. Since he’s quite versatile, he still might prove to be a nice 26th man in the majors, but he’ll probably head back to Triple-A to open 2026.

The 24-year-old outfielder has struggles in his time with the Halos this season, slashing .232/.243/.464 with four homers and nine RBI in 70 plate appearances. His demotion clears a spot on the active roster for the return of Christian Moore on Saturday.

Ward required about 20 stitches over his right eye, but he’s otherwise okay. Matthew Lugo is starting in left field in his place on Tuesday. Given how terrifying the incident seemed in the moment, it’s a welcome relief for everyone that he managed to avoid catastrophic injury.

Lugo returns to the big leagues with Nolan Schanuel hitting the shelf with a left wrist bruise. The 24-year-old has torn the cover off the ball at the Triple-A level this season. He batted .238 (10-for-42) with three homers and six RBI in 17 games earlier this season in his first exposure to the big leagues.

The 24-year-old is hitting .353/.396/.625 in July with four home runs, 14 RBI, and four steals. He is making a case to get another crack at MLB at-bats and should get an opportunity, especially if the Angels deal one or both of Taylor Ward and Jo Adell at the deadline.

Lugo gets the boot from the active roster to make room for top prospect Christian Moore. The 24-year-old outfielder should be back with the Angels at some point, but just as a depth piece.

Taylor was hit on the hand by a pitch last night, though he stayed in afterwards and there was no indication after the game that it led to an injury. A fractured hand is typically at least a four- to six-week injury, though it could be less for Taylor if it’s a hairline fracture. This isn’t the way the Angels were intending to make room for the newly acquired LaMonte Wade Jr. on the roster, but it works out that way all the same. Matthew Lugo was probably in line for a demotion, but he gets to stick around now.

Soler has been replaced by Matthew Lugo in the outfield. No word has been given as to why Soler had to exit, but this is not likely to be transaction related. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Lugo was sent down Thursday after going 9-for-40 with three homers and a 15/0 K/BB in his first MLB stint. He’ll see some outfield time until Mike Trout is ready to return to right field, but he’ll probably mostly serve as a defensive replacement for Jorge Soler.

The 24-year-old outfielder did a decent job in his time with the Halos, slashing .231/.250/.564 with three homers, six RBI and a 15/0 K/BB ratio across 40 plate appearances. He’ll return to an everyday role at the Triple-A level until he’s needed once again.