RADIO
Mike Trout Heating Up After July Power Outage
Across 456 plate appearances in 2026, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is hitting .240/.386/.447 with 20 home runs, 44 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The oft-injured slugger has spent time on the injury list once again this year, but he's stayed healthy outside of a hamstring strain that caused him to miss about three weeks right before the All-Star break. Trout may have still been feeling the effects of the hamstring injury immediately after his return, as he hit just one home run in the month of July. However, the 35-year-old has begun to turn it on of late, logging two home runs, five RBI, and two stolen bases across his last 26 plate appearances. Trout's barrel rate is down from his peak but remains elite at 16.7%, and his 18.0% walk rate keeps his production floor extremely high. As long as he can stay on the field the rest of the way, Trout profiles as a high-upside power source for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ben Joyce Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ben Joyce notched his first save of 2026 on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers. Joyce has barely pitched in the last two seasons due to shoulder issues. However, the 25-year-old has been steady since making his 2026 season debut on August 5, allowing just one hit and zero earned runs across four innings. If Joyce can stay healthy, he may be the highest-upside reliever in the Angels bullpen. He's averaging 101.3 miles per hour on his fastball and features a power sinker that should make him very difficult to take deep. While Joyce does not have an established track record as the Angels closer, he could still be the team's preferred option at this point in the season. Fantasy managers in need of saves should target Joyce on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Walbert Urena Has Established Himself as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Walbert Urena has been one of the team's lone bright spots so far this season, recording a 7-8 record with a 2.83 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts across 101 2/3 innings (21 games). The 22-year-old's slightly inflated WHIP is a symptom of his issues with command, as he's logged a 12.6% walk rate. However, Urena's power sinker has helped him earn a stellar 54% ground ball rate. He's also been extremely difficult to take deep, allowing just 0.53 HR/9. Urena's 22.2% strikeout rate limits his fantasy upside, but the young right-hander has been an effective innings eater already and has plenty of time to continue to get better. In most league formats, Urena should be a priority waiver wire target where available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Angels Fire Mike Maddux, Other Pitching Coaches
The Los Angeles Angels fired pitching coach Mike Maddux, assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott, and bullpen coach Dom Chiti on Tuesday, according to ESPN. Baseball operations consultant John Mozeliak said the decision was made after talking to manager Kurt Suzuki. The Angels' pitching staff this year has a 4.53 ERA and leads all of baseball in walks with 508. The Angels have named Tim Leveque as interim pitching coach, while Michael Wuertz will serve as the team's interim bullpen coach. The 64-year-old Maddux, the brother of former big-league pitcher Greg Maddux, signed a one-year deal with the Halos in the offseason. Mike also pitched 15 years in the big leagues before serving as a pitching coach for five different teams in the last 24 years. He won a World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2023 and was instrumental in developing the team's pitchers that season.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jose Fermin Emerging as a Potential Deep-League Saves Source
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Fermin has been an emergent young arm in his team's bullpen in 2026. Across 39 innings (36 games), the 24-year-old has recorded a 3.23 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts. Fermin is averaging 96.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 26.5% of the batters he's faced this year. He also picked up the first save of his big-league career on Friday. With the Angels having traded right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, Fermin could be poised to step into more regular save opportunities in Los Angeles. The Angels have other high-leverage options in right-hander Ben Joyce and left-hander Samy Natera Jr., so fantasy managers should not expect Fermin to exclusively work in the ninth inning. Still, Fermin could be a worthy flier to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Klassen Recalled To Start Friday Against Marlins
Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher George Klassen was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and will start against the Miami Marlins. The 24-year-old gets another shot after a difficult two-start stint in April, when he allowed six earned runs and walked 10 batters in just 4 2/3 innings. Klassen has been much better since returning to Salt Lake, particularly in July. He posted a 2.48 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 38 strikeouts across 36 1/3 innings and was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month. The strikeouts led the PCL during that stretch. Klassen's first trip to the majors showed how quickly his control can unravel, but his recent run makes this return worth watching. He is a risky streamer for Friday and more of a deep-league option until he shows he can throw enough strikes against major-league hitters.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Samy Natera Jr. Now Firmly in the Mix for Saves in Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels rookie left-handed reliever Samy Natera Jr. is now firmly in the mix for saves in Anaheim after the Halos traded away relievers Kirby Yates and Ryan Zeferjahn at the deadline on Monday. Hard-throwing right-hander Ben Joyce will surely be involved as well, but Natera is worth consideration in deeper fantasy baseball leagues for managers who are desperate for saves. The Mexican hurler is currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. In the team's 4-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Thursday, Natera gave up a hit while walking none and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings for his second save of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw has looked good of late, giving up just one earned run with three walks and 23 strikeouts in his last 11 appearances out of the bullpen since he allowed a career-high four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning to the Boston Red Sox on the Fourth of July. Natera has a 2.16 ERA (1.90 FIP), 0.88 WHIP, and 38:10 K:BB in his first 25 relief innings at the big-league level.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Arjun Nimmala Day-to-Day With Hand Laceration
Los Angeles Angels shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala (hand), who was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in the trade involving right-hander Jose Soriano, is day-to-day after leaving Double-A Rocket City's game on Thursday with a left-hand laceration, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Nimmala, who is considered the Angels' No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, doubled twice for the Trash Pandas before leaving the contest. The 20-year-old former 20th overall selection by Toronto in 2023 spent most of his time this year at Double-A New Hampshire, hitting .279/.355/.451 with an .806 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 21 runs scored, and four stolen bases in only 33 games across 138 plate appearances. Nimmala came into Thursday's game, his second with Rocket City, hitting .261 (59-for-226) with eight homers, 34 RBI, 41 runs, and six stolen bases in 63 minor-league games with five different teams in 2026. The 6-foot, 190-pounder might only be average, at best, at defense at the 6 long-term, but he has intriguing power potential from the right side of the plate. Nimmala isn't expected to be a candidate for his MLB debut until 2028.
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
George Klassen Could Come Through as a Late-Season Stash
Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect George Klassen has had solid success with Triple-A Salt Lake this season, pitching to a 6-6 record with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP to go with 88 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched. Klassen's strikeout rate is a bit underwhelming but he has a decent record and solid ERA and WHIP. The right-hander is ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Angels' system. The 24-year-old has the experience necessary to pitch at the major league level if given an opportunity. He has a 70-grade fastball with two 55-grade secondary pitches in his curveball and slider. The Angels seem to have an opening in their rotation and could look toward Klassen's power arm to fill that spot. He needs to improve his strikeout rate for fantasy purposes but he is an arm that is worth taking a chance on in deep leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Angels Designate Jorge Soler for Assignment
The Los Angeles Angels designated outfielder Jorge Soler for assignment on Tuesday, according to Francys Romero. The Angels traded away a handful of players by Monday's deadline, but they couldn't find any takers for Soler, who is hitting .203/.291/.373 with a .664 OPS, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, and 36 runs scored with a 32.7% strikeout rate in his 13th major-league season in 2026. The 34-year-old Cuban slugger should find a taker on waivers for his power stroke from the right side of the plate, but he won't be much more than a deep-league flier off the waiver wire for fantasy managers who are desperate for power if he latches on with a new team and sees regular playing time. With Soler now out of the picture in Anaheim, catcher Moises Ballesteros, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Monday in the Ryan Zeferjahn trade, figures to operate as the Angels' primary designated hitter for the rest of the season. After hitting 11 first-half homers, Soler has gone 7-for-45 (.156) with one homer, four walks, and 22 strikeouts in 12 games since the mid-July All-Star break. He is now rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Cubs Bolster Bullpen by Acquiring Reliever Ryan Zeferjahn in Trade With Angels
The Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in exchange for catcher Moises Ballesteros and minor-league pitcher Mason McGwire, the son of former big-league legend Mark McGwire, according to Francys Romero. Just when Zeferjahn was becoming a deep-league saves option in Anaheim, the 28-year-old was traded to a contender to help bolster the back end of their bullpen with regular closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) still on the injured list. Zeferjahn is 4-3 with a 3.66 ERA (3.77 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, a career-high four saves, 75 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 51 2/3 innings pitched in 2026 in his third year in the majors. With the last-place Angels, he wasn't a very convincing pickup off the waiver wire in deep fantasy leagues with save opportunities coming his way recently, but Zeferjahn should be more enticing to managers desperate for saves now that he has a shot for ninth-inning work on the North Side in Chicago. The Cubs have been using a closer-by-committee of late, consisting of Jacob Webb, Trent Thornton, and Caleb Thielbar.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Guardians Acquiring Jo Adell From the Angels
The Cleveland Guardians are acquiring outfielder Jo Adell from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports that the Angels will receive minor-league catcher Jacob Cozart in exchange. The rebuild continues for the struggling Angels, as they've also traded catcher Logan O'Hoppe and right-hander Jose Soriano. The 27-year-old Adell will give the Guardians some more thump in their lineup. In his seventh year in the majors with the Halos, the right-handed slugger has hit .239/.287/.395 with a .682 OPS, 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 46 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 111 games across 456 plate appearances. Adell has been somewhat of a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2026 after he hit a career-high 37 long balls and drove in 98 runs in 152 games for the Angels a season ago. The move to Cleveland won't really be all that much of a fantasy boost, as the Guards rank dead-last in baseball with a .680 OPS, and Adell's swing-and-miss ways won't suddenly be cured by the move.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Ryan Zeferjahn Continues to Emerge in Angels Bullpen
Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn continues to emerge at the back end of the team's bullpen in the second half of the season after picking up his fourth save of the year in the team's 3-0 win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Zeferjahn allowed two hits, no walks, and struck out four in his 1 2/3 innings of work in the series finale at Angel Stadium. The 28-year-old former third-rounder by the Boston Red Sox in 2019 from the University of Kansas is 4-3 on the year with a 3.66 ERA (3.77 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 75 strikeouts and 32 walks in 51 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his third year in the majors with the Halos. In 11 outings (12 1/3 innings pitched) since the beginning of July, Zeferjahn has allowed only three earned runs with two walks, 21 strikeouts, two saves, and three holds for the Angels. With Ben Joyce still on the injured list, Zeferjahn has become manager Kurt Suzuki's primary closer of late, giving him waiver-wire appeal in deeper fantasy leagues for managers who are desperate for saves. Zeferjahn is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Top Prospect Arjun Nimmala Shipped to Angels in Major Trade
The Toronto Blue Jays are trading top infield prospect Arjun Nimmala, along with outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero, to acquire starting pitcher Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Nimmala is the clear top return in this package for the Angels. Per MLB.com, the shortstop currently sits as the No. 46 overall prospect in the sport and was the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Toronto system ahead of the trade. In 2026, the former 20th overall selection has split most of his time between High-A and Double-A. After logging 23 games at High-A, Nimmala was given the green light to join Double-A New Hampshire, where he has posted a sharp .279/.355/.451 line with nine doubles, four home runs and four stolen bases. Dynasty managers should keep a close eye on Nimmala's progression as he should contend for an early call-up to Triple-A in 2027, which could open the door for a second-half MLB debut.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Jose Soriano Traded to Blue Jays
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Los Angeles Angels traded starting pitcher Jose Soriano to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for top infield prospect Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti, and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero. Even though the Blue Jays opted to part ways with veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman on Sunday evening, they are keeping the door open to potentially compete as a Wild Card team in 2026 by adding a piece to their rotation. Soriano has enjoyed a strong season in Los Angeles, logging 123 innings to the tune of a 3.29 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. His 11.2% walk rate has inflated his ratios but has managed to generate a high-end 31.4% whiff rate with a 24.9% K%. In return, the Blue Jays are sending their No. 2-ranked prospect Nimmala, who currently rises at Double-A, alongside Micheletti and Rivero, who both sit outside the top-30 prospects in their system on MLB Pipeline.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
