Matt Shoemaker/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Angels
It’s been an interesting season for right-hander Matt Shoemaker. In 2014 he went 16-4 with an ERA of 3.04 and finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting. After struggling most of this season, Shoemaker was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake City on Aug. 16 with a record of 5-9 and an ERA of 4.76. He was recalled and made two fine starts that brought his record to 7-9 and lowered his ERA to 4.31.
Shoemaker allowed just one hit and no runs in 7 1/3 innings on Aug. 27 at Detroit and just one run on five hits in seven innings Tuesday at Oakland.
Now, he’s suddenly suffering from a right forearm strain. Shoemaker was slated to start Monday against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the Freeway Series, but manager Mike Scioscia told reporters before Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers that Nick Tropeano would take that start and Shoemaker could be pushed back as many as five days.
“He really pitched well in Detroit,” Scioscia said of Shoemaker. “Pitched really well, obviously, in Oakland. And (he) just felt it a little bit later that night and the next day.”
Scioscia said Shoemaker has not had this issue in the past.
