Chad

Wallach

Wallach returns for another stint with Los Angeles as emergency catching depth behind starter Logan O’Hoppe. The 32-year-old veteran backstop got into a career-high 65 contests for the Angels this past season, batting .197/.259/.376 with seven homers across 172 plate appearances. He’s merely extra organizational depth at this juncture of his career.

For the time being, the 31-year-old backstop will head to Triple-A where he’ll continue to serve as extra depth for the Angels. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him in a new uniform at some point during the 2024 season though. Wallach hit just .197/.259/.376 with seven homers and 15 RBI in 172 plate appearances at the big league level during the 2023 campaign.

After playing in the last two contests, O’Hoppe will take Sunday afternoon off to rest his legs. Since returning from the injured list, the 23-year-old is hitting .125/.192/.250 with one homer over 26 plate appearances. Chad Wallach will catch Griffin Canning and bat eighth in his absence.

The 31-year-old backstop will get another shot with the Angels with Matt Thaiss (shoulder) landing on the injured list on Friday. Wallach has his .209/.279/.403 with seven homers and 13 RBI in 149 plate appearances with the Angels this season. He’ll function as the primary backup behind Logan O’Hoppe while Thaiss is sidelined.

Wallach went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last Friday and might opt to stick around with the Angels as emergency catching depth. There was no longer a spot for him on Los Angeles’ roster with Logan O’Hoppe back from shoulder surgery.

With Logan O’Hoppe returning from the injured list on Friday, there simply was no longer room for Wallach on the active roster. There’s a decent chance that the 31-year-old backstop could clear waivers and continue to function as catching depth for the Halos.

Wallach led off the fourth inning with a 365-foot (100.1 mph EV) solo shot off of Grayson Rodriguez that tied the game at 4-4. He also singled twice in the ballgame, finishing the evening 3-for-5. The 31-year-old backstop has done a terrific job in his limited action -- hitting .314/.333/.600 with three long balls and seven RBI in his first 36 plate appearances.

Wallach is back at catcher and batting eighth during Monday’s series opener against the Orioles after missing a couple games due to a concussion.

Wallach will get some extra time off to rest and recover after dealing with a lingering neck issue. He’s been put on the concussion injured list, so it obviously appears he’s been diagnosed with a concussion as well. His absence puts a serious strain on the Angels’ catching depth, but he’s unlikely to require a lengthy stint on the injured list.

Chris Okey has been brought up on the Angels’ taxi squad in case Wallach requires a trip to the injured list, but it sounds like they’re going to wait and see how he feels on Tuesday before potentially making a roster move.