MIAMI — Adam Cimber went from being one of baseball’s best relievers in 2021 and 2022 to an injury-marred nightmare in 2023.
Now, the Angels right-hander feels he’s back to himself.
“You never know how things are going to go,” Cimber said. “You can only control what you can control, but body-wise I feel better than I felt last year. I’m just going to keep going till the wheels fall off.”
Cimber has allowed one run in his first 3⅔ innings, including a critical part of Monday night’s victory. He entered with two runners on and one out in the sixth, got a double play on one pitch, and then added a perfect seventh.
Cimber, 33, signed a one-year, $1.65 million deal with the Angels in November. The Angels were hoping to get the pitcher who had a 2.53 ERA over 149 relief appearances in 2021 and 2022.
The 7.40 ERA he posted in 22 games with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023 was the result of injuries that began the first time Cimber faced hitters in spring training.
He hurt his shoulder early in camp, then rushed back.
“The velo was never there,” Cimber said. “They wanted me to find it again, so we started a weighted ball program and that just wasn’t sustainable.”
Cimber was doing weighted ball workouts in the pregame workouts and then trying to pitch.
“I just wasn’t ready to perform in the game,” he said. “I overdid it.”
Cimber ended up spending two different stints on the injured list. The first was a back problem that he said was related to the shoulder issue. He then returned, but still wasn’t right. Shortly after he gave up six runs in one game that destroyed his ERA, Cimber was placed on the injured list again in June. He missed the final three months.
Now, he says he’s feeling back to normal. He gave up one run in eight innings in the spring.
“It feels great,” Cimber said. “I’m trying to find a home here in Anaheim. It’s been a great group of guys so far. I try to do my job when called upon and get back to who I know I can be. Be that guy for this team.”
NO. 1 FOR SCHANUEL
Questions about power have followed Nolan Schanuel throughout his brief time in the major leagues. He hit his first home run of the season on Monday night, a blast that left his bat at 101.6 mph.
Manager Ron Washington doesn’t expect Schanuel to start hitting homers regularly, though.
“There will be times he can pick and choose when he wants to try to go for it,” Washington said. “I just don’t want him trying to go for it every night, because then we’ll get away from his style of hitting. I want him to have his style of hitting and get some success first. Once he gathers that success, he’ll know when to pick and chose. The power is in there. I don’t want him trying to get it out of there every single night.”
NOTES
Washington has kept Anthony Rendon in the leadoff spot, despite Rendon beginning the season without a hit in his first 15 at-bats. “I’m not at all concerned about Anthony Rendon,” Washington said. “He’s proven who he is and what he can do. As long as he’s able to be out there on the field, it’s just a matter of time before he shows up doing the things that he’s capable of.” …
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Right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder inflammation) came through his bullpen session well on Monday. He is next scheduled to throw live batting practice when the Angels return home. Stephenson is expected to have a minor league rehab assignment and be active sometime in late April. …
Construction has begun on the renovations to the Angels spring training facility in Tempe, Ariz., General Mmanager Perry Minasian said on Tuesday. The plans called for renovations to the practice facility and clubhouse during this phase. A high tech pitching lab remains a part of the plan, Minasian said. Construction is expected to be completed in time for spring training 2025. The next phase, which would include renovations of Tempe Diablo Stadium, is planned to begin after spring training next year.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 0-1, 16.20 ERA) at Marlins (LHP A.J. Puk, 0-1, 18.00), Wednesday, 10:10 a.m. PT, Bally Sports West, 830 AM
