Sandoval was recalled by the Angels ahead of his scheduled start Saturday, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sandoval has stayed stretched out at the team's alternate training site over the past week, and he'll rejoin the major-league club to make his second start of the season Saturday against the Rangers. Reliever Luke Bard was optioned to alternate camp to make room for Sandoval. The southpaw allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out four over four innings in his first start this year.

Sandoval will start Saturday's game against the Rangers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sandoval was rumored to be a candidate to start Saturday, but manager Joe Maddon confirmed the decision Friday. The southpaw has reportedly built up to 80-90 pitches. The 23-year-old made one start for the Angels this season before being sent back down to the alternate training site. In that appearance, he allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings.

Sandoval is a candidate to start Saturday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Angels have yet to announce a starter for Saturday's game, but it sounds like Sandoval could get the nod. The lefty looked solid in his lone big-league appearance before moving to the team's alternate camp site, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out four batters in four innings.

Sandoval was optioned to the Angels' alternate training site Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

This move comes after Sandoval fired four innings during Tuesday's game against the Mariners, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out four. He'll likely remain stretched out at the team's satellite camp until a starter or long reliever is needed. Luke Bard was summoned to the big club in a corresponding move.

Sandoval was charged with two runs (one earned) on four hits over four innings in a no-decision against the Mariners on Tuesday. He struck out four and issued one walk.

EDGE Analysis

The lefty was listed as the Angels' sixth starter to begin the year, but he ended up starting the team's fifth game after Matt Andriese was needed for extensive work behind Shohei Ohtani on Sunday. Sandoval held up his end of the bargain, but he was limited to just 62 pitches and did not make it deep enough into the game to qualify for the win. It's uncertain whether Sandoval will continue to start once Julio Teheran is ready to return from the COVID-19 IL.

The Angels list Sandoval as their sixth starter on the season-opening 30-man roster.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, Sandoval's top competition for the final rotation spot, Felix Pena, is listed as a member of the bullpen, effectively confirming that the former will break camp with a starting role. Sandoval's positive COVID-19 test result in late June delayed his arrival at summer camp, but the lefty was able to make up enough ground in the job battle and wrapped up the Angels' exhibition slate by working three innings (51 pitches) and giving up five runs in a loss to the Padres. Look for Sandoval to be limited to around 75 pitches in his first turn of the regular season, which is expected to come July 29 at home versus the Mariners.

Manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that Sandoval (illness) has a "good shot" of opening the season in the six-man rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander started Wednesday's exhibition game against the Friars and got tagged for five runs on six hits over three frames, but Maddon has apparently liked what he's seen in summer training. Sandoval was late to camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but the delayed start doesn't appear to have significantly impacted his path to a rotation spot. The 23-year-old made his big-league debut in 2019 and had a 5.03 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 10 outings.

Manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday that Sandoval (illness) could be ready for Friday's season opener at Oakland, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maddon said last week it would be "hard to imagine" the 23-year-old being ready for Opening Day, but he's apparently been progressing well in his buildup. Sandoval missed the start of summer training after testing positive for COVID-19, so he's been behind the other pitchers as he competes for a spot in the six-man rotation. The left-hander's status should receive another update later in the week.

Manager Joe Maddon said Monday that it would be "hard to imagine" that Sandoval (illness) would be ready for Opening Day, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sandoval was late to camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he's since been able to begin throwing. Despite his presence with the team, he's slightly behind the other players and could need some extra time to build up strength. Maddon said Monday that the team would prefer to allow him to recover in a controlled environment rather than pitching out of the bullpen in game situations, so he could be held out of the start of the regular season.

Sandoval revealed Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 back on June 22, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The positive test explains why Sandoval was unable to report to camp until Thursday. Battling the virus has left him behind the rest of his teammates, so his workload will likely be limited early in the year.