Michael

Stefanic

It’s the first outright assignment for Stefanic, who made his MLB debut for the Angels in July 2022 and was up and down several times since. He hit .232/.317/.275 in 264 plate appearances over 2 1/2 seasons. Of the three infielders here, Leblanc probably has the best chance of helping a team. The Angels, though, gave him just 28 plate appearances, in which he homered twice and walked seven times.

Stefanic missed a few days while dealing with a calf injury, but is feeling well enough to play in the series finale against Chicago.

Sefanic is out with a calf injury, and Brandon Drury is also not in the lineup with a calf issue of his own. With those two infielders not available, Jack Lopez gets another start at second base.

There was some hope that Stefanic could return to the lineup Saturday after being removed from Friday’s game, but he’ll get another day. Brandon Drury (hamstring) is also out Saturday, so it’ll be Jack Lopez getting the start at second base for the Angels.

He might be available as soon as Saturday. Jack López replaced him in the contest tonight.

The good news is that the versatile 27-year-old will be active for the game and available off the bench, so he won’t be landing on the injured list — as least as of yet. Michael Stefanic will start in his place at second base and will bat ninth against David Peterson and the Mets on Saturday evening in Los Angeles.

Stefanic returns to Los Angeles with veteran Anthony Rendon hitting the injured list with lower back inflammation. The 28-year-old infielder has gotten into 10 games this season at the highest level.

Stefanic has been shipped back to the minors to free up an active roster spot for Miguel Sanó to return from the injured list. The 28-year-old infielder’s stellar minor-league numbers haven’t translated to the highest level over the last few years as he holds a .601 OPS with zero homers in 175 plate appearances over 60 games for Los Angeles since 2022.

Stefanic, 28, has excelled in 19 minor league games so far this season, hitting .334/.440/.426 with zero homers, 13 RBI, one stolen base and a 5/12 K/BB ratio over 76 plate appearances. A better real-life player than a fantasy asset, Stefanic will replace Kyren Paris as the Angels’ primary reserve infielder.

The 28-year-old hurler suffered a left quad strain at the end of spring training, but has been slowly ramping up and working his way back since. He’ll continue to work at Triple-A Salt Lake until the Angels feel he’s ready to contribute at the big league level. Jose Cisnero was transferred to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.