Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe is sidelined indefinitely after fracturing his left wrist when struck by a foul ball during Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. The injury was confirmed after O’Hoppe was hit in the seventh inning, and there is currently no timetable for his return to the lineup.
O’Hoppe expressed frustration about the injury, highlighting the small size of the fractured bone but emphasizing the significant impact on his ability to play. “I’m annoyed because it’s such a little thing, such a tiny bone,” O’Hoppe said. “Obviously I want to be in there every day.”
Before the injury, O’Hoppe was recovering from a slow start to the season, batting .205 with a .579 on-base plus slugging (OPS). However, he showed signs of progress in recent games, including three hits and a walk in his last two appearances, plus throwing out two runners attempting steals on Saturday.
“That’s what I’m pissed off about. Things started to really feel like they were aligned behind the plate too,” O’Hoppe said on Sunday.
With O’Hoppe placed on the injured list, the Angels have promoted catcher Sebastian Rivero from Triple-A Salt Lake to fill his roster spot. Rivero, 27, is a right-handed hitter with a .239 batting average and a .557 OPS in Triple-A. Manager Kurt Suzuki expressed confidence in Rivero’s veteran ability to handle the pitching staff and provide offensive support.
Alongside Rivero, veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud, 37, will share catching duties. Although d’Arnaud has struggled at the plate this season, hitting .125 in 19 plate appearances, Suzuki plans to rotate catchers based on matchups.
“I talked to Trav already and I told him, ‘Be ready to play,’ but I’m not going to kill him,” Suzuki said. “He’s definitely going to play some and Rivero’s going to play some. We’ll play matchups.”
The Angels also shook up their pitching staff following this weekend’s game and weather disruptions. Right-handers Jordan Romano and Shaun Anderson were designated for assignment Sunday. Romano, who signed a $2 million one-year deal this winter, struggled with a 10.13 ERA over eight innings, blowing two consecutive saves after a strong start.
Romano’s departure opens spots on the 40-man roster, which were filled by the call-ups of left-hander Joey Lucchesi and right-hander José Fermin. Fermin was already on the 40-man roster, while Lucchesi and Rivero took over the spots left by Romano and Anderson.
Suzuki cited the impending rainy weather and the need for fresh arms as reasons for the roster moves. “Unfortunately with the rain coming, we need arms and obviously he didn’t pitch the way he wanted to the last few times,” Suzuki said, referring to Romano’s struggles.
The Angels also adjusted their game schedule Sunday, moving the start time up from 6:20 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. to avoid incoming rain. Suzuki noted the challenge that sudden changes present but stressed the team’s adaptability.
Additionally, Suzuki dropped first baseman Nolan Schanuel from the No. 3 spot to No. 5 in the batting order as he works through a slump complicated by an ankle injury suffered earlier this month.
The Angels face the Chicago White Sox Monday at 4:40 p.m. PT on FanDuel Sports Network and 830 AM radio. Fans will be watching to see how the team adapts behind the plate without O’Hoppe and with a reshuffled pitching staff.
This injury and roster shuffle come at a crucial time as the Angels contend with pitching depth and lineup consistency early in the 2026 MLB season. Keeping their pitching effective and managing injuries will be key to their success moving forward.
