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Commentary: Post-Ohtani future? Angels promote shortstop Zach Neto, continuing youth movement

The Angels’ mandate from owner Arte Moreno over the last six seasons, all of them losing ones, can be summed up in six words: Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, no rebuild. Moreno has not paid a luxury tax since 2004, and the Angels’ financial flexibility subsequently is limited because three players — Trout, Ohtani, and Anthony Rendon — account for roughly …

Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, left, is congratulated by teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a thee-run home run during the fourth inning of a 6-0 win over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my career, the transition to the major leagues.” Into this fray stepped Logan O’Hoppe, the strapping 23-year-old rookie who became …

Angels takeaways: Joe Maddon isn’t worried about Shohei Ohtani, others at the plate

Angels’ Brandon Marsh, left, is congratulated by Shohei Ohtani, right, and Max Stassi after hitting a three-run home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning on Monday at Angel Stadium. It was Mike Scioscia’s mantra for two decades in Anaheim: “The heartbeat of a championship-caliber club,” the former manager often said, “is starting pitching.” One turn through a …

Ohtani

Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is ready for the 2022 season: ‘Aim higher and higher’

Shohei Ohtani and many in the Angels organization believe the two-way sensation can improve on his historic 2021 season. “You can definitely tell that there’s a greatness to his presence.” Syndergaard saw the highlights from 2021 and marveled at Ohtani’s freakish ability to throw a baseball 100 mph and hit one 450 feet. Ohtani, who is scheduled to pitch the …

Angels say Shohei Ohtani is ‘fine’ after home-plate collision in walk-off win

Chicago White Sox baserunner José Abreu, left, checks on Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani after they collided at home plate during the fifth inning Sunday. Asked about the decision afterward, Maddon said simply: “You see the stuff he had?” Ohtani’s first pitch of the at-bat went to the backstop, allowing one runner to score and the other two to advance …