Angels Demote Aldegheri as Rodriguez Return Uncertain

The Angels have sent veteran starter Sam Aldegheri down to Triple‑A and moved Grayson Rodriguez’s rehab assignment to the minors, leaving the right‑hander’s return to the majors in doubt. According to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register, the club will not rush Rodriguez back despite his “strong, strong, strong, strong candidate” status. Manager Kurt Suzuki emphasized that Rodriguez, currently on the injured list for the past three weeks with a back injury, remains a top candidate but the final call has not been made.

Rodriguez has been a major offseason acquisition, yet his 2026 campaign has been marred by injury and inconsistent results. After a more‑than‑year absence, he appeared in six big‑league games, surrendering 23 runs over 25.2 innings while walking 15 batters. His lone bright spot came against the Detroit Tigers, where he allowed just one run in five innings.

On his rehab stint, Rodriguez has logged 9.1 innings, allowing only two runs, but struggles to keep baserunners at bay in the lower levels. His best outing came Saturday in Triple‑A, where he tossed 5.1 innings, struck out five, and surrendered a single run. The combination of low run allowance and control issues will shape how the Angels assess his readiness.

Evaluating Potential Replacements

With Rodriguez’s timeline unclear, right‑hander Caden Dana has emerged as the most plausible fill‑in for a rotation spot. Dana, once the organization’s No. 2 prospect, now sports a 5.40 ERA after 12 starts this season and a .202 batting average against. He recorded two scoreless outings in June but still grapples with a high walk rate that could limit his upside.

Dana’s minor‑league performance suggests he can dominate when command improves, but his current MLB stats—6.40 ERA in 2025 and 5.40 ERA this year—raise questions about his reliability. If the Angels need an immediate boost, his recent improvements and experience in the big leagues make him a viable short‑term option. However, the club may also consider other options should Rodriguez’s rehab progress stall.

The roster shake‑up underscores the Angels’ rotating challenges and the high stakes of acquiring high‑profile pitchers. As the team navigates the immediate vacancy left by Aldegheri and the uncertainty surrounding Rodriguez, Dana’s development will be a key factor in shaping the rotation’s stability for the stretch run.