Los Angeles Angels Wiretap

The Houston Astros signed outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and promoted catcher Collin Price to the major league roster Thursday.

Price will take the place of backup catcher César Salazar, who was designated for assignment Thursday.

Wade, who was released by the White Sox on Monday, has been in Triple-A all season. His last appearance in the majors came last season when he played 30 games for the Angels. A seven-year MLB veteran, Wade has also played for the Twins and Giants.

The Braves have bolstered their depth at catcher by acquiring veteran Austin Wynns from the Los Angeles Angels.

The Braves added the 35-year-old Wynns to the major league roster on Thursday, a day after acquiring him from the Angels for cash. In a related move, catcher Chadwick Tromp was designated for assignment.

Wynns joins Sandy Leon as the Braves' catchers as the team continues to adjust to injuries to 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin and Sean Murphy.

With nearly two months of the 2026 season complete, 22 players from the preseason MLB top 100 prospect list have graduated from eligibility, reshuffling the rankings ahead of what figures to be an active trade deadline season.

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made, 19, moves to the top spot after posting 90th percentile exit velocities that rank among big league averages despite playing in Double-A. His ability to control the strike zone and his defensive profile stand out, though scouts note his swing produces insufficient lift to translate his raw power into home run totals. If that changes in the second half, a significant ranking jump could follow.

Among the most notable movers is Boston Red Sox shortstop Franklin Arias, who climbs from 36th to sixth after posting improved exit velocity and lift rates while maintaining contact. Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries jumps to second after his profile helped pry All-Star closer Mason Miller from Oakland. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Seth Hernandez rises from 49th to seventh after slider and fastball shape improvements unlocked his ceiling.

Notable graduates from the list include the previous top two prospects, Konnor Griffin and Kevin McGonigle, along with Samuel Basallo, JJ Wetherholt, Bubba Chandler, Carson Benge, Andrew Painter, and Carson Williams, among others.

Seven players currently on active big league rosters remain eligible but could graduate within weeks.

Top-50 MLB Prospects

60FV
1. Jesus Made, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 3)
2. Leo De Vries, SS, Athletics (Previous: 11)
3. Colt Emerson, SS, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 6)
4. Max Clark, CF, Detroit Tigers (Previous: 8)
5. Sebastian Walcott, SS, Texas Rangers (Previous: 5)
6. Franklin Arias, SS, Boston Red Sox (Previous: 36)
7. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 49)
8. Eli Willits, SS, Washington Nationals (Previous: 41)
9. Kade Anderson, LHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 16)
10. George Lombard Jr., SS, New York Yankees (Previous: 20)
11. Travis Bazzana, 2B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 23)
12. Walker Jenkins, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 9)
13. Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 14)
14. A.J. Ewing, CF, New York Mets (Previous: 28)
15. Rainiel Rodriguez, C, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 19)
16. Aidan Miller, SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Previous: 10)
17. Ryan Sloan, RHP, Seattle Mariners (Previous: 24)

55 FV
18. Josue De Paula, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 21)
19. Josuar Gonzalez, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 30)
20. Ethan Salas, C, San Diego Padres (Previous: 110)
21. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks (Previous: 63)
22. Thomas White, LHP, Miami Marlins (Previous: 18)
23. Alfredo Duno, C, Cincinnati Reds (Previous: 29)
24. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 54)
25. Caleb Bonemer, 3B, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 34)
26. Luis Pena, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 26)
27. Ethan Holliday, SS, Colorado Rockies (Previous: 66)
28. Liam Doyle, LHP, St. Louis Cardinals (Previous: 50)
29. Tyler Bremner, RHP, Los Angeles Angels (Previous: 56)
30. Theo Gillen, CF, Tampa Bay Rays (Previous: 92)
31. Ralphy Velazquez, 1B, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 33)
32. Jett Williams, SS, Milwaukee Brewers (Previous: 32)
33. JoJo Parker, SS, Toronto Blue Jays (Previous: 52)
34. Zyhir Hope, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 40)

50 FV
35. Cam Caminiti, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 53)
36. Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets (Previous: 31)
37. Noah Schultz, LHP, Chicago White Sox (Previous: 96)
38. Kaelen Culpepper, SS, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 79)
39. Angel Genao, SS, Cleveland Guardians (Previous: 80)
40. Gage Jump, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 42)
41. Jhonny Level, SS, San Francisco Giants (Previous: 84)
42. Emmanuel Rodriguez, CF, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 97)
43. Josh Hammond, SS, Kansas City Royals (Previous: 132)
44. Edward Florentino, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates (Previous: 78)
45. Eduardo Quintero, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 37)
46. Anthony Eyanson, RHP, Boston Red Sox (Previous: NR)
47. Eduardo Tait, C, Minnesota Twins (Previous: 38)
48. Didier Fuentes, RHP, Atlanta Braves (Previous: 88)
49. River Ryan, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers (Previous: 125)
50. Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (Previous: 60)

A blockbuster trade that would have sent Shohei Ohtani from the Los Angeles Angels to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for top prospects Junior Caminero and Carson Williams was seriously discussed before the 2023 trade deadline, according to sources briefed on the negotiations. Angels owner Arte Moreno ultimately declined, and Ohtani left for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent four months later on a ten-year, $700 million contract.

The proposed deal would have sent Caminero, then a 19-year-old at Double-A, and Williams, then a 20-year-old shortstop at High-A, to Anaheim as the centerpiece of the package. The Rays were prepared to include additional pieces to close the agreement, per league sources.

It was the second consecutive year Moreno passed on a significant Ohtani trade. Before the 2022 deadline, the Angels held discussions with the San Diego Padres that would have generated a package comparable to the one San Diego ultimately sent Washington for Juan Soto, a haul that included outfielder James Wood, shortstop CJ Abrams, and left-hander MacKenzie Gore. Sources say center fielder Jackson Merrill was also part of those discussions.

Instead of selling, the Angels turned buyers in 2023, acquiring pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox among other additions. The strategy collapsed immediately. The Angels lost 19 of their first 26 games in August before Moreno authorized a sweeping roster purge to get under the luxury tax threshold. Their only compensation for losing Ohtani to free agency was the 74th pick in the 2024 draft.

For the Rays, however, the failed deal proved fortunate. Ohtani tore the UCL in his right elbow on August 23, ending his pitching season, before suffering an oblique strain and ultimately undergoing his second major elbow reconstruction. Tampa Bay also lost Shane McClanahan to Tommy John surgery and had shortstop Wander Franco placed on the restricted list amid a league investigation.

Caminero, meanwhile, established himself last season as one of baseball's premier young sluggers, hitting 45 home runs. Williams remains a work in progress offensively but provides strong defense at a premium position.

The Angels, sitting on the American League's worst record with their general manager and manager both in the final years of their contracts, now face familiar questions about a potential selloff as another trade deadline approaches.

Monday’s series opener will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network West (Angels feed) and Sportsnet 1 (Blue Jays feed). First pitch is scheduled for 9:38 PM ET (6:38 PM PT). Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Toronto Blue Jays (8-13) head to Anaheim this Monday, April 20, to open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels (11-12). Toronto enters the contest looking for road consistency, having struggled to a 2-7 away record early in the 2026 season. The Angels return home looking to snap a two-game skid and climb back above .500 in a competitive AL West.

Toronto’s offense has been powered by veteran Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has been on a tear recently with 17 hits in his last 10 games. He is joined by Ernie Clement and new addition Kazuma Okamoto, who leads the team in home runs. The Angels counter with Jo Adell and Jorge Soler, the latter of whom has launched four home runs over his last 10 games. Expect a high-intensity matchup as both teams fight for early-season momentum. Catch every highlight live on Fubo.

The pitching duel features a battle of dynamic arms. Toronto turns to Dylan Cease (RHP), who has been nearly unhittable with a 1.74 ERA and 32 strikeouts over his first few starts. He faces off against the Angels' Reid Detmers (LHP), who holds a 3.57 ERA and a sharp 1.06 WHIP. You can witness this American League clash streaming live on Fubo.

The defining storyline for the Blue Jays is their health, as they continue to navigate a laundry list of injuries to their pitching staff, including José Berríos and Shane Bieber. For the Angels, the focus is on home-field advantage; they’ll need Detmers to provide a deep outing to support a bullpen missing Kirby Yates. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

Blue Jays vs. Angels Betting Odds & Predictions

The Blue Jays enter the series opener as narrow favorites despite their road struggles. Oddsmakers are banking on Dylan Cease's elite command and Toronto's high-contact lineup to carry the day.

Prediction: Dylan Cease has been in elite form to start the year, and while the Angels have power, Toronto's lineup depth—particularly with Guerrero Jr. and Clement hitting well—should prove to be the difference. Final Score: Blue Jays 4, Angels 2.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the elite power of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. against the deceptive movement of Reid Detmers. Guerrero Jr. has already posted 17 hits in his last 10 games.

*Stats over last 10 games / Season record.

Los Angeles relies on the breakout performance of Jo Adell and the power-hitting presence of Jorge Soler to anchor the middle of the order.

*Stats over last 10 games.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like FDSN West and Sportsnet 1, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the Blue Jays or Angels.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Angels as they seek to navigate early-season hurdles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monday’s series opener will be broadcast locally on YES Network (Yankees feed) and Bally Sports West (Angels feed). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET. Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The New York Yankees (8-7) return to the Bronx this Monday, April 13, to open a four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels (8-8). New York enters the series looking to stabilize after a rocky road trip, leaning on a pitching staff that currently holds the second-best team ERA in the majors (2.79). The Angels, meanwhile, bring a balanced 5-5 road record and a lineup that has proven dangerous when the long ball is working.

The Yankees' offense is currently sparked by Ben Rice, who has burst onto the scene in 2026 with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs through the first two weeks. Aaron Judge remains a constant threat, finding his rhythm over the last 10 games. The Angels counter with young shortstop Zach Neto, who leads the team with 5 home runs and a blistering .531 slugging percentage. Catch every pitch and home run live on Fubo.

The pitching duel features a veteran southpaw against a rising right-hander. The Angels turn to Yusei Kikuchi (LHP), who is searching for his first win of the season after a difficult start (6.75 ERA). He faces Yankees' Will Warren (RHP), who has been a revelation for the injury-depleted New York rotation, carrying a 1-0 record and a steady 3.07 ERA. You can witness this American League clash streaming live on Fubo.

The defining storyline for New York is their ability to navigate significant injuries to their starting rotation, with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both on the shelf. For the Angels, jump-starting Kikuchi’s season against a high-power Yankees lineup will be the ultimate test. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

Angels vs. Yankees Betting Odds & Predictions

The Yankees enter the series opener as home favorites. Oddsmakers are backing Will Warren’s consistency and New York's elite pitching metrics to hold off an Angels team that has been inconsistent at the plate.

Prediction: While Kikuchi has the strikeout stuff to keep it close, the Yankees' ability to limit runs (1st in MLB in runs allowed) gives them the edge. Expect Rice or Judge to provide the power difference. Final Score: Yankees 5, Angels 3.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features the emerging power of Ben Rice against the high-octane (but currently inconsistent) arsenal of Yusei Kikuchi. Rice’s ability to handle the slider will be a major test.

The Angels rely on the power of Zach Neto and the veteran presence of Mike Trout to anchor an offense that ranks in the top half of the American League for home runs.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like YES and Bally Sports West, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the Angels or Yankees.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Yankees as they chase another World Series title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Major League Baseball's average salary climbed 3.4% to a record $5.34 million on Opening Day, according to an Associated Press study, with the New York Mets topping league payrolls for the fourth consecutive year at $352.2 million.

Mets outfielder Juan Soto remains the sport's highest-paid player for the second straight season at $61.9 million annually, placing him among the highest-compensated athletes across all major North American professional sports. New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger ranks second at $42.5 million, followed by Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler and Mets third baseman Bo Bichette, who are tied at $42 million. Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. sits fifth at $40.2 million, just ahead of Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge at $40 million.

Across sports, the top of the market is converging. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott carries an average annual value of approximately $60 million in the NFL, while Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry earns $59.6 million in the NBA this season, putting all three leagues within a narrow range at the very top of the pay scale.

The broader salary picture, however, differs considerably by sport. The NBA's average salary for roster players sits just under $14 million during the 2025-26 season, driven by smaller rosters that concentrate league revenue among fewer players. The NFL average was approximately $3.2 million in 2025, reflecting the league's significantly larger rosters. MLB's $5.34 million average falls between the two, though roster sizes in baseball and football are substantially larger than in basketball.

The Los Angeles Dodgers ranked second in MLB payroll at $316.6 million, down slightly from $319.5 million last year. Their figure would rise to $395.2 million without present-value discounting applied to deferred contracts for nine players.

MLB's average salary has grown 28 percent under the current five-year collective bargaining agreement, which expires in December, an average annual increase of 5.6%. Six clubs carried payrolls above $250 million, up from four a year ago, while eight teams fell below $100 million, an increase from five.

The Detroit Tigers posted the largest year-over-year spending increase at $64.2 million, reaching $206.7 million after signing pitcher Framber Valdez and giving a significant raise to ace Tarik Skubal through arbitration. The Minnesota Twins recorded the steepest decline, slashing $46.3 million from its Opening Day payroll to settle at $96.5 million.

The Cleveland Guardians were the MLB's lowest-spending team at $62.3 million, less than one-fifth of the Mets' total outlay.

MLB has suspended Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler seven games each, along with undisclosed fines, for their roles in a benches-clearing brawl during Tuesday night's game at Angel Stadium.

The altercation began in the bottom of the fifth inning when Lopez threw a pitch high and inside that deflected off catcher Jonah Heim's glove. Soler charged the mound in response.

Lopez initially raised his hands as the two exchanged glares before both players began throwing punches. Lopez was still holding the baseball when he landed a blow on Soler's batting helmet. The benches and bullpens emptied as players from both clubs attempted to intervene. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss was among those who physically restrained Soler.

The suspensions rank among the lengthiest in recent MLB history. The longest over the past decade was an eight-game ban handed to Rougned Odor in 2016. Jesse Winkler's seven-game suspension in 2022 is the only comparable penalty in recent years.

Soler said after the game he believed Lopez's pitch was intentional. The Angels outfielder entered Tuesday hitting .609 with five home runs and three doubles in 23 career at-bats against Lopez. He homered off the right-hander in his first plate appearance and was struck by a 96 mph fastball in his second.

Atlanta led 4-2 when the brawl occurred and went on to win 7-2.

Wednesday’s interleague finale will be broadcast locally on BravesVsn (Braves feed) and FanDuel Sports Network West (Angels feed). First pitch is scheduled for 4:07 PM ET. Fans can stream the game in high definition on Fubo, which offers access to regional sports networks and national MLB coverage.

The Atlanta Braves (7-5) conclude their West Coast road trip this Wednesday, April 8, with a high-stakes series finale against the Los Angeles Angels (6-6). After dropping the opener on Monday, Atlanta bounced back with a dominant 7-2 win yesterday, setting the stage for a rubber match at Angel Stadium. 

The Braves’ lineup has been powered by a surprise early-season surge from Drake Baldwin, who leads the team with 4 home runs. He’s joined by perennial All-Stars Matt Olson and Ronald Acuña Jr. in a lineup that remains one of the most feared in the National League. The Angels counter with their own young sensation, Zach Neto, who has matched Baldwin with 4 long balls of his own to start the 2026 campaign. Catch every pitch live on Fubo. 

The pitching duel features two hurlers off to excellent starts. Atlanta’s Grant Holmes (RHP) carries a 2.46 ERA into today’s contest, looking to stabilize a Braves rotation that has been bitten by the injury bug early this year. The Angels turn to southpaw Reid Detmers (LHP), who has been nearly untouchable with a 2.38 ERA and a high strikeout rate through his first two outings of the season.

Atlanta’s ability to navigate the left-handed Detmers will be the game's defining storyline. With a lineup that features heavy-hitting righties like Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies, the Braves are well-equipped to handle the challenge. However, if the Angels' bullpen—led by a resurgent Jordan Romano—can protect a lead in the late innings, the Halos could secure their second series win of the young season. Fubo is your home for the complete broadcast.

Braves vs. Angels Betting Odds & Predictions

The Braves enter the finale as favorites on the road. Despite the Angels' home-field advantage and Detmers' strong form, oddsmakers are banking on the depth of the Atlanta lineup to prevail.

Prediction: This has the makings of a low-scoring pitcher’s duel through the first five innings. However, the Braves' superior bullpen depth and experience in high-pressure road games give them the edge. Final Score: Braves 5, Angels 3.

Individual Matchups: Stars and Playmakers

The marquee matchup features Matt Olson looking to solve Reid Detmers. Detmers has historically struggled against power-hitting lefties who can lay off the slider.

The Angels rely on the dynamic lead-off presence of Zach Neto and the legendary power of Mike Trout to generate early leads.

Stream the MLB on Fubo

Fubo is the essential destination for baseball fans. Catch regional sports networks like BravesVsn and FDSN West, national broadcasts, and premier matchups with the most flexible streaming plans available, ensuring you never miss a highlight from the Braves or Angels.

Fubo: New subscribers can check out current promotions to ensure they have access to local and national MLB coverage for the season. Follow the Braves as they seek another NL East title.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The crack of the bat returns to the Lone Star State this Thursday as the Los Angeles Angels travel to face the Houston Astros for a high-stakes 2026 Opening Day at Daikin Park. While the sports world remains captivated by the Sweet 16, baseball purists are turning their attention to a premier AL West divisional battle. The Astros are looking to reclaim their throne in the division, while a healthy Mike Trout leads an Angels squad eager to prove they are legitimate postseason contenders. Fans can catch every pitch of this national broadcast live on Sling TV.

This Opening Day encounter features a duel between two 27-year-old right-handers making their first career Opening Day starts. The Astros hand the ball to Hunter Brown, who has officially ascended to the role of staff ace after finishing third in the 2025 AL Cy Young voting. Brown is coming off a dominant campaign where he posted a 2.43 ERA and struck out over 200 batters. Conversely, the Angels counter with José Soriano, a power pitcher whose 100-mph sinker has historically baffled Houston hitters. As the Astros debut a revamped lineup that features the return of Carlos Correa and the addition of Christian Walker, the Angels are banking on a youth movement supported by a fully healthy Mike Trout. You can witness this divisional clash live on Sling TV.

The 2026 Houston Astros enter the season with renewed championship expectations. After a brief hiatus from the top of the division, the return of Correa to his original home and the emergence of Yainer Diaz as an elite offensive catcher have made Houston the favorite in the West once again. For the Angels, success hinges on the elite playmaking of Zach Neto and Logan O'Hoppe, alongside veteran pop from Jorge Soler. With Soriano holding a career 1.04 ERA against Houston, the Halos are poised to play spoiler in front of a sellout crowd. This 4:10 PM ET matchup is the perfect way to kick off the marathon season, and Sling TV is your home for the full national broadcast.

How to watch Angels vs. Astros

Thursday's Opening Day game will be broadcast across regional and national networks, with live coverage beginning at 4:00 PM ET. The most flexible way to catch the most MLB action throughout the 2026 season is through Sling TV, providing fans with an affordable and high-definition stream on any compatible device.