LOS ANGELES — Jhonathan Diaz, a 25-year-old left-hander with three big league appearances to his name, was called up by the Angels to start against the Washington Nationals on Friday night, a chance for the Venezuela native to seize a rotation spot that slipped through the hands of Jose Suarez last week.
“When a kid comes up like that, and there’s a crack in the door, go ahead and put your best foot forward and force us to do something,” manager Joe Maddon said before the game. “I always want players to do that.”
Diaz might not have kicked that door down in a 3-0 victory over the Nationals before 41,923 at Angel Stadium, but it should remain open for at least another start or two.
