33 Max Stassi C

Stassi is locked in as the Angels' No. 2 catcher due largely to his ability to frame pitches, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels have emphasized pitch framing in recent seasons because of the boost it can give to their pitching staff. As such, the team employs two of the league's top pitch framers in Stassi and Jason Castro. While Stassi has yet to attain a primary catcher role in the big leagues, he ranks 11th in pitch framing among backstops who have caught at least 1,000 innings over the last four years, per FanGraphs.

Stassi (hip) is starting behind the plate and batting sixth in Friday's Cactus League game versus the Royals.

The 28-year-old has previously served as a designated hitter in spring games, but his return to defensive action indicates he's been fully cleared from offseason hip surgery. Stassi is expected to compete with Anthony Bemboom for the backup catching job in spring training.

Stassi (hip) is no longer listed in the starting lineup for Sunday's split-squad game versus the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stassi was initially set to bat second as the designated hitter but isn't included in the updated lineup, though he's still listed as an available bench player on the lineup card. There's been no reports of a setback as he continues to recover from offseason hip surgery, so the reason for the lineup change remains unclear.

Stassi (hip) is batting second as the designated hitter in Sunday's split-squad game against the Rockies.

It's not the first time this spring the 28-year-old is seeing game action as a DH, though he previously came off the bench. It's unclear when Stassi is expected to work behind the plate in games, but he appears to progressing well from offseason hip surgery and should be ready for Opening Day.

Stassi (hip) is slated to appear in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Reds as a designated hitter.

Based on the information the Angels provided on their lineup card, Stassi is set to replace Shohei Ohtani midway through the contest for what will mark the 28-year-old's spring debut. Stassi has been eased into workouts this spring while recovering from offseason hip surgery, but he's expected to be ready to go for Opening Day. He'll likely see some action behind the plate in Cactus League games within the next week or two.

Stassi (hip) is on track to be healthy for Opening Day, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi underwent right hip surgery in the offseason, but he is currently in camp and has been taking batting practice as well as participating in catching drills. The 28-year-old is expected to compete for a backup role behind newly acquired Jason Castro.

Stassi (hip) signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with Los Angeles on Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Stassi and the Angels will avoid arbitration by settling on a one-year deal. It remains unclear if he'll be ready for Opening Day after undergoing hip surgery in September, likely giving Jason Castro and Anthony Bemboom a leg up on the competition.

Stassi (hip) may not be ready to go by Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Stassi underwent a hip procedure in late September that was expected to keep him out for 4-to-6 months. The back end of that window should have had him ready to go right around Opening Day, but he appears to be potentially a bit behind schedule since his availability for the start of the season is now in doubt.

Stassi will undergo right hip surgery next week and will need 4-to-6 months to recover, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Kevan Smith and Anthony Bemboom will handle the catching duties over the final games of the season. Stassi hit .136 with one home run in 147 plate appearances this year. This surgery could affect his availability for the start of spring training.

Stassi saw a specialist Friday to address his sore oblique, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Stassi has been out since Sept. 3 with the injury. Although he recently indicated that he is feeling better, the decision to consult a specialist suggests that the 28-year-old is not close to a return. With the regular season rapidly coming to an end, there is a strong chance that Stassi will not play again in 2019.

Stassi (oblique) is improving but has not been cleared to play, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi indicated that he is feeling better but there remains no set timeframe for his return. The 28-year-old has been out since Sept. 3 while recovering from a sore oblique.

Stassi has been dealing with a sore oblique, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The report sheds some light on the nature of Stassi's injury, which had previously been mentioned only as an unspecified side issue. Recovery timelines on oblique injuries tend to be unpredictable, hence the lack of clarity on a potential return date. Stassi has not played since Sept. 3.

Stassi (side) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Indians.

Stassi has not appeared in a game since Sept. 3. He's been nursing a side injury and it's not clear when he's expected back. Kevan Smith and Anthony Bemboom have been splitting time behind the plate in Stassi's absence.

Stassi is dealing with a side issue and will be evaluated Monday, the Associated Press reports.

Stassi has sat out the last five games while nursing the unspecified side issue. The Angels return home Monday, at which point the 28-year-old will be further examined. Stassi has only three hits in 42 at-bats since being acquired from Houston at the trade deadline.

Stassi is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

Stassi will ride the pine for the third straight contest as the Angels continue to utilize a three-man rotation behind the plate. Anthony Bemboom receives the starting nod and will hit ninth Friday.

Stassi is not starting Thursday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Stassi will stick on the bench for a second straight game as the Angels continue to rotate between three catchers. Kevan Smith is starting behind the dish and hitting ninth in this one.

Stassi will be on the bench Wednesday against Oakland.

Stassi appears to be at the head of a three-man catching committee at the moment, starting five of the last nine games. Anthony Bemboom gets the nod behind the plate on this occasion.

Stassi isn't starting Friday's game against the Astros.

Stassi went 2-for-4 with a run scored Wednesday against the Rangers, but he'll take a seat for Friday's series opener. Anthony Bemboom will handle the catching duties and hit ninth in Stassi's absence.

Stassi is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stassi was behind the dish for the series opener Monday in the Angels' 8-7 loss, going 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts. With the Angels facing a quick turnaround for the front end of the twin bill, Stassi will get a breather while Anthony Bemboom catches for Andrew Heaney. Expect Stassi to enter the lineup in the nightcap and work in a battery with starting pitcher Jaime Barria.

Stassi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Stassi will give way to Anthony Bemboom behind the plate in what looks like a true timeshare at catcher. The two have alternated turns in each of the past six contests.