Angels GM Jerry Dipoto knows there is help out there.
"Oh, pitching will be available. How much of it, I can't tell you," he said when asked to assess the Angels' chances of finding help for their struggling rotation before the July 31 trade deadline. "Pitching is available every July. There's going to be a premium for it, that you're paying to access pitching, and I don't think that will change (as the deadline gets closer).
"You're going to pay a premium for pitching in July."
As much as anything, that might be the reason Dipoto keeps pointing to the potential for solutions already on the Angels' roster -- specifically Dan Haren and Ervin Santana. If those two plug the holes in the Angels' rotation, it means Dipoto will not have to pay that premium price to obtain a starter like Zack Greinke, Matt Garza or James Shields. Considering the state of the Angels' minor league system, they might not have the resources to pull off a trade for one of those coveted pitchers anyway.
"As I've told you all along, if the ability to make a move that helps our club exists, we'll search that out," he said. "We'll seek it. We'll find the right fit. It may not be there.
"At the end of the day, I'll go back to what I've said all along -- the best options we have are sitting right there, a healthy Dan Haren and Ervin Santana pitching up to his capabilities. ? The focus for us is how do we get these guys where they need to be? Because when you have pitchers that are as accomplished as these guys, essentially, the rest of the league is going out trying to scout guys like that, who are playing for teams who might not be contenders, to try to essentially buy low and get a guy who can make a difference for them in the second half. Here we are, we've got those guys -- we just have to get them back on track."
Haren returned from his first trip to the DL Sunday and gave the Angels reason to be confident he can turn around his poor season to date. Haren went six strong innings in a 7-4 victory over the Rangers.
NOTES, QUOTES
Aybar may be headed to disabled list
--RHP David Carpenter was optioned to Class AAA Salt Lake and IF Jean Segura was promoted from Class AA Arkansas Sunday. Segura was promoted as "infield coverage" while the Angels await the results of X-rays on SS Erick Aybar's right foot. Aybar fouled a ball off his big toe during Saturday's game and will be unavailable for at least three to four days. He could go on the DL if it looks like he will be unavailable for longer than that.
--RHP Ervin Santana will make his next scheduled start on Friday. But Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he will be limited to 15 outs as a way to hopefully get Santana focused and aggressive. "We need Ervin to pitch like he can and hopefully peeling him back to 15 outs is something that will be a positive for him moving forward in trying to get back on track," Scioscia said. Santana lasted less than two innings in two of his past three starts.
--RHP Dan Haren returned from the DL and went six strong innings Sunday, allowing just two runs on three hits in a 7-4 victory over the Rangers Sunday. OF Kole Calhoun was optioned to Class AAA Salt Lake to clear a roster spot for Haren's return.
--C Bobby Wilson was 3 for 4 Sunday with his first home run since August 27, 2011. It was the first home run and first multi-RBI game by an Angels catcher since John Hester was 1 for 2 with a two-run home run on June 29 in Toronto.
--1B Albert Pujols was 2 for 5 with an RBI double and a two-run home run in Sunday's victory over the Rangers. The home run was the 463rd of his career, tying him with Chipper Jones for 32nd on the all-time list and third among active players. Pujols has five home runs in his past 11 games and three multi-hit games in his past six.
BY THE NUMBERS: 14 -- Consecutive games in which Mike Trout has scored a run (through Sunday). That sets a new Angels' club record and a new AL rookie record.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "When they took me out of the game, I said, 'Wow.' I was so nervous. I thought I was being traded or I was in trouble. ... They told me I was going to the big leagues and I was so happy. This is one of my dreams." -- Angels IF prospect Jean Segura on getting pulled from a game in Double-A and being called up to the majors.
ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--OF Vernon Wells (torn ulnar collateral ligament in right thumb) went on the 15-day disabled list May 21, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 12. He underwent surgery May 22. He began playing catch July 3 and he was cleared medically to increase his baseball-related activities July 4. He began swinging a bat without restrictions during the All-Star break and took batting practice on the field during the Angels' early workout July 13. He was re-examined July 20 and began a minor league injury-rehabilitation assignment for Triple-A Salt Lake that night.
--C Chris Iannetta (fractured right wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 9. He underwent surgery May 11. The start of a rehab assignment with Class A Inland Empire was put on hold in mid-June because of soreness in his throwing arm. He began his throwing program again in early July. He went through a final workout and had his wrist and forearm re-examined on July 20. Iannetta was cleared to start a minor league injury-rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on July 21.
--1B Albert Pujols (sore left foot) was at DH July 19, nursing his injury. He fouled a ball off the foot in New York last weekend and aggravated it when he stepped on a base wrong.
--RHP Jordan Walden (right biceps strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 9.
--RHP Dan Haren (lower back stiffness) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 4. He threw a full bullpen session in Anaheim on July 12, and he made a rehab start for Class A Inland Empire on July 16. He was activated July 22.
--OF Jeremy Moore (left hip surgery in March 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 13.
--RHP Michael Kohn (flexor strain in right arm) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 26, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on May 21. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery April 12.
