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The Los Angeles Angels are currently sitting in third in the AL West with a 13-15 record. Even though they’re two games under .500, the Angels only sit a game-and-a-half behind the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Unfortunately, it will be tough for them to remain there all season after learning on Friday that ace Garrett Richards will need Tommy John surgery and will miss the rest of the 2016 season.
Although Richards only has a 1-3 record this season, he’s posted a 2.34 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 34 strikeouts through six starts. With Jered Weaver declining over recent years, Richards has become the ace of the rotation and his absence will be damaging for the Angels’ playoff chances.
In addition to Richards, the Angels are already without Andrew Heaney, who’s not expected back with the team until at least July because of an elbow injury, and C.J. Wilson, who’s recovering from a shoulder injury that likely won’t make him available until June at the earliest. That’s three-fifths of their starting rotation on the shelf for half the season. That’s a difficult mountain to climb for any team, let alone the pitcher-starved Angels.
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