Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker is making steady progress in his recovery from a mild oblique strain, but manager Mike Scioscia told Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com that his chances of returning to pitch this week are “very remote.”
Of course, the Angels already have the division title wrapped up, so they’re a lot more worried about Shoemaker’s status for the playoffs. And about that, Scioscia said he’s “very encouraged” for the possibility of having him available in October.
Shoemaker came out of nowhere to go 16-4 with a 3.07 ERA and 124/24 K/BB ratio in 136 innings as a 27-year-old rookie, including a 9-1 record and 1.49 ERA in 67 innings since late July.