The Angels built a commanding 7-0 lead over the Astros through the first five innings of Tuesday night’s 10-1 win at Angel Stadium, but the status of two key position players remains a focal point. First baseman Nolan Schanuel and catcher Sebastián Rivero both exited the game early, prompting the Angels to go to their bench in the dominant offensive showing. The departures come as the Angels continue to manage a handful of recent roster adjustments. The club entered the week with several players already on the injured list, including position players Jorge Soler, Vaughn Grissom and Adam Frazier. Schanuel’s night ended after two plate appearances. In the bottom of the first inning, he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in the opening run of the night. After staying in the game to hit a single in the second, Trey Mancini replaced him defensively at first base to begin the top of the fourth. The team subsequently announced Schanuel left the game due to left calf tightness, which manager Kurt Suzuki confirmed was a direct result of the first-inning hit-by-pitch. The calf issue follows a recent stretch of lower-leg ailments for the first baseman, who had just returned to the active roster on Saturday after missing time with left ankle tendinitis. He also sat out of Monday's series opener due to lingering soreness in that same ankle.
