Nolan Schanuel was officially shut down on Sep. 18 by the Los Angeles Angels after aggravating a strain in his right intercostal area.
Schanuel has been out since Aug. 20 and played one rehab game for the Salt Lake Bees, but was ultimately shut down after further testing and treatment.Â
“Went on a rehab… wasn’t feeling any better,” Schanuel said. After talking with head trainer Mike Frostad, they decided it was best to “take it easy.”
What Does Schanuel’s Absence Mean for the Halos?
Schanuel has been an integral part of the Halos group since his debut in 2023. In 107 games this season, he hit .276 with seven home runs and 49 RBIs. Despite early struggles and an ankle injury, Schanuel finished the year strong.Â
Manager Kurt Suzuki has relied on Vaughn Grissom and Moises Ballesteros to fill the spot. Grissom has played 55 games at first base this year alone. Ballesteros has learned the position and has played seven games.Â
Both players will be under contract with the Halos in 2027; however, Grissom is out of minor league options, meaning the Angels have to either keep him on the active roster or trade/waive him.
What Are Other Options?
Keeping both would give the team decent backups if Schanuel has other setbacks. But the team should also look at the upcoming class of free agents at first base.
Ryan Mountcastle
Mountcastle would be coming back from a left foot fracture that has kept him sidelined since April. With decent defense and good contact hitting, this could be a player the Angels look into.
Andrew Vaughn
Vaughn, who’s also been sidelined the past week dealing with an illness, could be a match for the Halos. He has a .355 batting average on balls in play and 43 RBIs this season. This move would add depth, not production.
Paul Goldschmidt
This is the most outlandish and least likely match. The 39-year-old has had a down year with the New York Yankees in 2026, while also splitting his time as a starter. With only 87 hits this year and a .252 BA, his decline seems to be here. Making this fit less viable.
Schanuel says he is looking forward to having a good offseason to train and “see where it goes” with this injury. So far, the Halos training staff have not made it seem like this will be a continuous issue, and he should be back and ready come Spring Training.
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