Angels Get Good News on Jose Quintana Injury Update

Left-handed starting pitcher Jose Quintana's first season with the Los Angeles Angels hasn't gone as planned. He's 0-3 with a 7.22 ERA through his first nine starts on the 2021 MLB season and has been on the injured list since May 31 with shoulder inflammation. Fortunately, Quintana is expected to return to the mound imminently.

The Angels activated Quintana from the 10-day IL on Monday, giving the club some good news in a campaign that has been marred by injuries. The move is the first step to getting the veteran lefty back to the level that Los Angeles hopes he can still pitch at.

Jose Quintana Injury Update

When some players come back from lengthy absences, clubs have been known to send them on rehab assignments with Triple-A affiliates. However, the Angels have chosen to bring Quintana right back to the lineup. The skipping of a rehab assignment could signal that the former All-Star could find himself in the bullpen for the foreseeable future, according to RotoWire.

Even though Quintana isn't having the greatest of seasons, one bright spot is that he's averaging a career-best 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. Getting that kind of pitching back — in the starting rotation or bullpen — would definitely benefit the Angels, who already rank eighth in that category as a team (9.88 SO/9).

Even if Quintana does return to form, the Angels have a tough road ahead of them if they want to make the postseason. Their 36-36 record puts them 7.5 games back of the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West.

It's not like being a Wild Card team will be any easier as Los Angeles is 6.5 games back of the second Wild-Card spot. Even if the Angels do make the playoffs, their +6500 World Series odds rank T-18th among all MLB teams, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook today and get your first bet risk free for up to $1,000!