Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington has likely had to break some strange news to reporters in his 28 years as a coach and nine seasons as a major league manager, but the news he had to share with the media about infielder Miguel Sano may be the best one yet of his career.
Prior to Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, Washington provided an update on Sano, who has been sidelined since April 26 with left knee inflammation. The veteran slugger began a minor league rehab assignment with the Angels’ Arizona Complex League team last week.
Sano’s timeline for returning to the Angels has been hit with an unusual delay, according to Washington, who told reporters that he suffered burns to his left knee from wearing a heating pad for too long.
Breaking news: Miguel Sano has suffered a small setback in his rehabilitation and is expected to be delayed a few days.
He suffered burns from holding a heating pad on his knee for too long without any cushioning.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) May 26, 2024
No details were released about how long Sano left the heating pad on or how hot the device was, but not using the pad was perhaps his biggest mistake.
Washington said Sano’s recovery could take several days due to complications, so this blunder is something the Angels can laugh about or shake their head about later, especially compared to the far more serious injuries to Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.
Sano signed a minor league contract with the Angels during spring training after missing the 2023 season with cartilage issues in his left knee and a tibia injury. He reported to camp in Tempe, Arizona, 60 pounds lighter than he was last season.
This season, Sano has played in 21 games (71 at-bats), batting .262 with a .713 OPS, three doubles, one home run and five RBIs. Defensively, he has played third base, first base and designated hitter.
The Angels entered Sunday’s game with a 20-32 record, last in the AL West.
