Angels star catcher Logan O’Hoppe fractures wrist, out indefinitely
Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Angels face a major lineup setback as catcher Logan O’Hoppe was placed on the injured list with a fractured wrist sustained during Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. O’Hoppe was struck in the left wrist by a foul ball in the seventh inning, leaving the team without a timetable for his return.
O’Hoppe described the injury as “such a little thing, such a tiny bone,” expressing frustration over the untimely setback after showing signs of improvement. The catcher, who had been struggling earlier in the season with a .205 batting average and a .579 OPS, recently began finding his rhythm with key hits on Wednesday and Friday, capped by a strong defensive performance Saturday where he threw out two base stealers.
“That’s what I’m pissed off about, things started to feel aligned behind the plate too,” O’Hoppe said on Sunday. “We’ll take this time to keep polishing that off and go from there.”
Angels call up veteran and prospect to fill O’Hoppe’s spot
To fill the void, the Angels promoted Triple-A catcher Sebastian Rivero, a 27-year-old known for his defensive skills and veteran savvy. Rivero joins 37-year-old veteran Travis d’Arnaud to share catching duties while O’Hoppe recovers.
Manager Kurt Suzuki highlighted Rivero’s professionalism and versatility, praising his ability to handle the pitching staff and contribute offensively with hit-and-run tactics. The Angels intend to rotate the two to optimize matchups and maintain stability behind the plate.
Meanwhile, d’Arnaud, who has struggled this season hitting just .125 in 19 plate appearances, will also get opportunities to prove his value during O’Hoppe’s absence.
Pitching shakeup follows O’Hoppe’s injury amid rain threats
Alongside the catching news, the Angels made significant roster moves Sunday prompted by rain-forecast uncertainties and a short outing from starter Walbert Ureña on Saturday.
The team designated veteran right-handers Jordan Romano and Shaun Anderson for assignment. Romano, 33, signed a one-year, $2 million deal during the offseason but struggled mightily with a 10.13 ERA in eight innings pitched, finishing on a rough streak after blowing two saves and allowing nine runs in his last three innings.
“We need arms with the rain coming, and unfortunately he didn’t pitch the way he wanted the last few times,” Suzuki said of Romano’s release. “It was a tough call for us.”
The Angels called up left-hander Joey Lucchesi and right-hander José Fermín, with Lucchesi and Rivero filling the 40-man roster spots vacated by Romano and Anderson. Fermín was the only player already on the 40-man roster.
Lucchesi enters fresh from Triple-A where he posted a 4.32 ERA, while Fermín brings added depth as the team adapts its bullpen. Meanwhile, reliever Kirby Yates continues to recover from left knee inflammation, showing reduced velocity in his latest Triple-A outing.
Lineup adjustments, weather challenges ahead for Angels
With game times advancing to avoid approaching rain, the Angels took further steps to adjust their lineup, including moving first baseman Nolan Schanuel from the No. 3 to the No. 5 spot following a prolonged slump attributed in part to an ankle injury.
The Angels face a Monday afternoon showdown against the Chicago White Sox at 4:40 p.m. PT on FanDuel Sports Network and 830 AM radio, looking to regroup and stabilize after a challenging week.
What’s next for the Angels?
The immediate priority is the recovery timeline for O’Hoppe, whose presence behind the plate has been vital despite a slow offensive start. His injury adds pressure on Rivero and d’Arnaud to perform on both offense and defense. Meanwhile, the pitching staff shuffle signals a team in urgent need of consistency as the season progresses.
For Delaware sports fans and baseball enthusiasts across the US, the unfolding Angels story reinforces the fragile nature of the MLB season and the rapid roster adjustments teams must make to stay competitive.
Stay tuned to The Delaware Herald for continuing updates on O’Hoppe’s recovery and the Angels’ evolving roster as the 2026 season heats up.
