Shoemaker is now 2-0 since his return to the rotation after winning Monday against the Athletics, as he allowed one run on five hits and seven innings. He struck out five and walked two.

EDGE Analysis

Shoemaker drew nine ground balls and threw 68 strikes in 108 pitches in the victorious effort and lowered his ERA to 4.31. Shoemaker has allowed just nine baserunners in 14.1 innings with 10 strikeouts since his return. As rough as Shoemaker's season has been, he still has 115 strikeouts in 131.2 innings and looks like he's locked into the rotation for the stretch run.

Shoemaker will be recalled to start Thursday's game against the Tigers, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nick Tropeano was a roster casualty earlier in the week with the team needing to add middle-infield depth, leaving the Angels without a fifth starter this time through the rotation. Shoemaker will draw the assignment Thursday opposite Randy Wolf, but he's struggled throughout the year (4.76 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), and it's no lock he'll remain in the rotation when rosters expand in September.

The Los Angeles Angels optioned pitcher Matt Shoemaker to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, according to MLB.com. Shoemaker had a 4.76 ERA and had allowed 13 earned runs in his last two starts, while the Angels have not announced a replacement for Shoemaker in the rotation.

Shoemaker tossed an inning out of the bullpen in the Angels' final game before the All-Star break. With Jered Weaver (hip) expected to rejoin the rotation shortly after the All-Star break, the Angels are in a tricky but desirable spot. Shoemaker was fantastic as a rookie last season, but Andrew Heaney has thus far pulled the same trick in 2015, leaving the team with no obvious candidate for a demotion. Nonetheless, someone needs to give way, so either Shoemaker will head to the bullpen or Heaney will be sent back to Triple-A Salt Lake. The first scenario seem much more likely, given that Heaney has been far better than Shoemaker recently. Long term, the Angels likely still view Shoemaker as a key part of the rotation, regardless of how this plays outs.

Shoemaker allowed two runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking two in 5.2 innings against the Rockies on Wednesday. Shoemaker had a season-high 102 pitches Wednesday -- the second time this season he's exceeded 100 pitches in a game. Including Wednesday's no-decision, the 28-year-old has failed to reach the seventh inning in his past five starts -- three of which were losses and two of which were no-decisions.

Shoemaker (4-7) took a loss Wednesday against the Yankees despite allowing just two runs over 5.2 innings. He gave up seven hits and a walk while striking out three. Once again, Shoemaker was bitten by the long ball -- he's now given up 16 in 15 outings, which is two more than he allowed in 27 games (20 starts) last season. Still, he's got a pair of two-run outings in a row under his belt now. Shoemaker will need to keep that run going if he wants to stay in the Angels' rotation when Jered Weaver (hip) returns. He won't have an easy time doing so in Colorado next week.

Shoemaker (4-6) gave up just two runs over six innings Friday against Seattle, but was stuck with the loss. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out just two. He did a spectacular job of keeping the ball on the ground, recording 14 outs that way, but it's concerning that Shoemaker has just four strikeouts in his last two starts. Still, increased groundballing tendencies will work in his favor, as Shoemaker has struggled mightily with keeping the ball in the yard this year. Not Friday, though. He'll make his next start at home on the first of July against the Yankees.

Shomeaker's start has been pushed back to Friday, and Andrew Heaney will be recalled to start Wednesday. Shoemaker's start will be pushed back due to Andrew Heaney's insertion into the rotation following the injury to Jered Weaver. Everyone should be bumped back a day for the first time through, after which it should return to a normal five-man rotation.

Shoemaker continued to pound the strike zone, but he has now given up more hits (73) than innings pitched (72.2). The right-hander has an elite strikeout to walk ratio, but his 4.71 FIP indicates that Shoemaker has to allow less hits before he can become an upper echelon pitcher. The Cardinals' offence bailed him out of trouble Friday, but Shoemaker needs to find a reliable way outs if wants to lower his 5.20 ERA moving forward. Shoemaker continued to pound the strike zone, but he has now given up more hits (73) than innings pitched (72.2). The right-hander has an elite strikeout to walk ratio, but his 4.71 FIP indicates that Shoemaker has to allow less hits before he can become an upper echelon pitcher. The Cardinals' offence bailed him out of trouble Friday, but Shoemaker needs to find a reliable way to get outs if wants to lower his 5.20 ERA moving forward. Shoemaker's next start is against Houston on Wednesday.

Shoemaker took the loss on Sunday, allowing three earned runs over 5.2 innings. Shoemaker pitcher well early on Sunday, but ran into trouble in the sixth, allowing hard hit doubles to Ben Zobrist and Max Muncy before being replaced. Shoemaker has struggled to replicate his success of 2014, but has settled in recently, allowing only a total of six earned runs combined in his last four starts. He will take next the mound on Friday in Oakland.