The 2016 MLB season has yet to even start, yet the Los Angeles Angels are already dealing with multiple issues in their starting rotation. Veterans Jered Weaver (neck) and C.J. Wilson (shoulder) have hit some roadblocks and it's unknown how effective they'll be in 2016. The Angels will need their young pitchers to step up.
Weaver, whose fastball topped out at 81 mph earlier this week, is meeting with team doctors regarding tightness around his neck. The team reportedly sent him for a "precautionary MRI," but the issue could perhaps be serious considering Weaver thinks the tightness is preventing him from pitching to his full potential. Topping out at 81 mph is bad, bad news.
As for Wilson, the left-hander made only 21 starts last season due to an elbow issue and now he's dealing with shoulder tendinitis, which could put his status for Opening Day in jeopardy. He's reportedly "not sure" when he can get back to throwing off a mound, indicating he's not ready to pitch.
All of this means the team cannot rely on these two veterans to produce in 2016. Manager Mike Scioscia will likely have to lean on the arms of Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney, Hector Santiago, Matt Shoemaker and Nick Tropeano to make most of the team's starts. That shouldn't be a big deal because both Weaver and Wilson are slated to hit free agency after the season. Weaver has a full no-trade clause and Wilson can block trades to eight MLB clubs.
The Angels' rotation ranked 13th in the MLB last season with a 3.98 ERA, which actually wasn't too bad since Richards wasn't entirely back up to speed after suffering a torn patellar tendon the August prior and Shoemaker endured a pretty bad sophomore slump.
However, the circumstances are much different this time around. Richards is fully healthy; Santiago is coming of a career season; and youngsters Heaney and Tropeano got a good amount of MLB exposure last season in order to help contribute in 2016. Shoemaker still remains a question mark as his spring hasn't gotten off to a good start (5 IP, 8 ER, 12 H, 4 HR). Richards has gotten off to a slow start this spring as well, but he has the stats to back up the fact that it's likely a fluke.
Still, four quality starters are good enough to get by, but Scioscia needs to be prepared to be without his most experienced starters. And if he does have them for a good portion of the season, he can't expect them to produce at the high level that they used to.
General manager Billy Eppler seemingly has confidence in this group considering he made no deals for pitchers this offseason and actually traded away top pitching prospects Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis earlier this offseason in the Andrelton Simmons trade.
He certainly has a reason to be optimistic. Check out the stats from these four starters:
Richards: 37-25 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 448 strikeouts in 87 career starts
Santiago: 19-23 with a 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 408 strikeouts in 83 career starts
Heaney: 6-4 with a 3.49 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 78 strikeouts in 18 career MLB starts
(25-13 with 3.22 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 336 strikeouts in 63 minor league games)
Tropeano: 3-2 with 3.82 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in eight MLB games (seven starts)
(34-31 with 3.49 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 581 strikeouts in 108 minor league games)
Richards possesses ace potential and he'll need to harness that in 2016 to help the Angels take the next step in terms of competing in the AL West on a consistent basis.
The team will be without Weaver and Wilson come 2017, so all of this could be a blessing in disguise. There have been mounting concerns regarding the future of the Angels considering their farm system is a disaster and the MLB roster has yet to prove in recent seasons that it's a force in the postseason.
However, a young and productive starting rotation could turn things around for the Angels, who have made the postseason just once during Mike Trout's tenure.
