Angels Scratch José Soriano From Start as Trade-Deadline Speculation Builds

The Los Angeles Angels pulled right-hander José Soriano from his scheduled start Saturday, a clear sign that the club is weighing trades before Monday’s MLB Trade Deadline. The move was announced through team baseball operations, with consultant John Mozeliak citing the uncertainty of the next 48 hours as the reason. It comes days after the Angels traded catcher Logan O’Hoppe and pitcher Chase Silseth to the Texas Rangers for prospect Angel Arredondo — an early indication that established major league talent is no longer untouchable.

Why the Angels made the move

Soriano is not injured, and the team said so explicitly. The scratch was tied directly to the trade deadline. In a statement released Saturday afternoon, Mozeliak explained: “With the trade deadline on Monday and the uncertainty of the next 48 hours, we decided to take a prudent approach and see where these next few days lead us.”

That wording stops short of confirming a deal is imminent, but scratching a healthy starter is a standard precautionary step when a trade is being considered — it protects the player’s value and avoids the risk of an injury before a potential move. The decision tells contenders that the Angels are open for business on one of the more attractive starting pitchers who could be moved.

Soriano: “I just focus on what I got now”

Soriano said he learned of the decision after Friday night’s game and was not caught off guard. “At this point of the season, this happens. You just stay positive,” he told reporters.

The right-hander acknowledged that the deadline is on everyone’s mind around the clubhouse. “Everybody’s thinking about it. Trades happen, but at the same time we try to stay positive and focus on winning. This part of the season is always crazy, but we have to be prepared for anything.”

He kept his own outlook deliberately short-term: “I just focus on what I got now. Whatever happens, happens.”

Suzuki: “We’re professionals”

Manager Kurt Suzuki, who played 16 seasons in the majors, said the message to players is to control what they can. “You can tell somebody not to think about it, but it’s human nature,” Suzuki said. “The biggest thing is coming here every day, preparing yourself to play. That’s really all we can control.”

Suzuki added: “We’re professionals. If we’re still here with the team, we’re ready to go.”

What a Soriano trade would mean

Soriano is one of the Angels’ most valuable rotation pieces. He is 9-6 with a 3.29 ERA and a 1.

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