Angels' Shoemaker diagnosed with 'very mild' oblique strain; won't make next start
The Los Angeles Angels appear poised to finish with the top record in baseball, and they're doing it without their best pitchers.
Matt Shoemaker is the rotation's latest casualty after an MRI revealed a "very mild" strain in the right-hander's left oblique muscle. He is considered day-to-day, but manager Mike Scioscia confirmed Shoemaker will not make his next start Sunday against Texas.
The Angels enter play Tuesday with the best run differential in the league, despite losing two of their top pitchers, Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs, to season-ending injuries.
Shoemaker, who exited Monday's start with discomfort in his side, has pitched as well as anyone in the majors over the last two months.
The 27-year-old rookie allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his last 12 starts, a dominant stretch that earned the reliever-turned-starter American League Rookie and Pitcher of the Month honors in August.
Shoemaker told reporters before Tuesday's game against Seattle that he's "very" optimistic about being ready by the start of the playoffs.