Angels: Shoemaker’s season-ending injury diminishes playoff hopes

Matt Shoemaker isn’t anywhere near ace status in terms of performance, yet he’s been a reliable option for the Los Angeles Angels the past few seasons. They will have to play the rest of the year without him, as he is slated for season-ending surgery.

Last year, it was a line drive to the head. This year, a forearm injury.

For some reason, Matt Shoemaker can’t seem to finish a season healthy. This time, it could be one of many reasons why the Los Angeles Angels won’t claim a playoff spot for the third consecutive season.

The right-hander, who’s been on the disabled list since June, will have season-ending surgery on his forearm Tuesday, according to the Angels’ organization. He started 14 games this year, pitching to a 4.52 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings.

Shoemaker isn’t a consistent pitcher. He is prone to the long ball and while he can rack up double-digit strikeouts, his stamina is also limited. He averaged less than six innings over his previous two seasons –- 41 outings overall.

The 30-year-old still played a critical role in the team’s rotation, which has been lackluster all season.

He’s had stints of brilliance, such as in 2014, when he accumulated a 16-4 record and finished second in the Rookie of they Year voting. He followed that year-long performance with a shaky April in 2015. But then he demonstrated his potential again between May and July. In one eight-start stretch, he tossed 57 2/3 innings, yielding just 12 runs, while whiffing 68 batters.

Shoemaker may not be in his prime, but he was a serviceable starter for the past few seasons. And with ace Garrett Richards out for a majority of the year, Los Angeles needed the rest of its shallow staff to step up.

Without Shoemaker, along with other injured pitchers at the moment, the Angels look less and less like a contender each day. Sure, they sustained their record without Mike Trout in the lineup. But without a steady and reliable starting rotation, Los Angeles won’t be able to compete with the likes of Kansas City or Tampa Bay for the final Wild Card spot.

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There have been signs of development from J.C. Ramirez and Parker Bridwell, which is why Los Angeles’ starters rank 12th in ERA. Still, for a team in the chase for a Wild Card spot, Ricky Nolasco and Troy Scribner aren’t ideal candidates to have in October.

Considering that the Angels’ pitching staff is unimposing as is, losing Shoemaker doesn’t help. Manager Mike Soscia has already dealt with several injuries to his hurlers, including Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Alex Meyer. A subpar farm system hasn’t helped matters.

Los Angeles still has a chance to claim a Wild Card spot, as do six or seven other American League clubs. The pitching staff will have to be better, which could be difficult moving forward.

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But who knows, by the time Richards arrives – possibly next month – the Angels may be in prime position for a playoff spot. With Mike Trout, anything is possible.