Matthew

Lugo

Lugo gets the boot from the active roster to make room for top prospect Christian Moore. The 24-year-old outfielder should be back with the Angels at some point, but just as a depth piece.

Taylor was hit on the hand by a pitch last night, though he stayed in afterwards and there was no indication after the game that it led to an injury. A fractured hand is typically at least a four- to six-week injury, though it could be less for Taylor if it’s a hairline fracture. This isn’t the way the Angels were intending to make room for the newly acquired LaMonte Wade Jr. on the roster, but it works out that way all the same. Matthew Lugo was probably in line for a demotion, but he gets to stick around now.

Soler has been replaced by Matthew Lugo in the outfield. No word has been given as to why Soler had to exit, but this is not likely to be transaction related. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Lugo was sent down Thursday after going 9-for-40 with three homers and a 15/0 K/BB in his first MLB stint. He’ll see some outfield time until Mike Trout is ready to return to right field, but he’ll probably mostly serve as a defensive replacement for Jorge Soler.

The 24-year-old outfielder did a decent job in his time with the Halos, slashing .231/.250/.564 with three homers, six RBI and a 15/0 K/BB ratio across 40 plate appearances. He’ll return to an everyday role at the Triple-A level until he’s needed once again.

It’ll be Kyren Paris making just his second start in the last six games on Tuesday night in his place. Lugo has been an unexpected revelation this season, hitting .310 (9-for-29) with three homers in 10 games since coming up earlier this month from Triple-A Salt Lake. It’s an extremely small sample size, and he’s going to cool off at some point, but there’s some intrigue here for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats.

Lugo hit an RBI double in the first inning, and connected on a solo blast in the ninth. He’s gone deep three times in just seven appearances with the Angels, and .381/.409/1.000 slash. That’s not sustainable for anyone, and it’s especially not sustainable for Matthew Lugo. All that being said, he’s earned more playing time — or that should be the case, anyway — with his hot run.

Lugo gets the nod over a slumping Kyren Paris after coming off the bench to crush a two-run homer during Tuesday’s showdown at Petco Park. The unheralded 24-year-old prospect is hitting .300 (3-for-10) with two homers and four RBI in five games since being called up last Friday from Triple-A Salt Lake. He’s an intriguing talent with a real chance to carve out a role in Los Angeles, especially with Paris mired in an 11-for-83 (.133) slump since blasting two homers back on April 10.

Lugo hit for Kyren Paris in the seventh and then stayed in to play center afterwards. If the Angels actually trust him in center, then there wouldn’t be any harm in giving him a look as a starter for a spell. After all, Paris is currently seven for his last 70 at the plate.

Soler was scratched from the lineup Friday, and he’ll miss at least one more game. The hope is for Soler to return for the finale against Baltimore on Sunday, but no guarantees. Matthew Lugo is in left field with Taylor Ward the designated hitter.