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With Hunter Renfroe On Paternity Leave, Jo Adell To Make Return For Angels

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Jo Adell #7 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a two run home run during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 05, 2021 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

It may be a brief return to the big leagues, but Jo Adell will be recalled from the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees to fill in for Hunter Renfroe on the main roster. Renfroe and his wife, Courtney Renfroe, celebrated the birth of their first child earlier this week and it is unknown how long he will be away on paternity leave.

Angels manager Phil Nevin told reporters Wednesday that he did not know if Adell would remain with the team after Renfroe returns, nor did he know when Renfroe could possibly come back.

“You know, a lot of things could happen in the next couple of days,” Nevin said about Adell’s future prospects. “I’m not sure if (Renfroe) will take the whole time or not. They are here in town so we’ll just see how the next couple of days go.”

Renfroe will briefly leave the Angels after earning a .252 batting average and hitting 11 home runs to begin his stint with the team. The Milwaukee Brewers traded him to Los Angeles last November, sending him to his fourth team in four seasons since 2020. He previously spent four seasons on the Padres.

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Adell, meanwhile, has had multiple stints with the Angels since his 2020 debut, but the once-promising outfielder has never managed to gain a foothold on the main roster. In 161 total MLB games, he has batted just .215 with 60 RBIs. But in his latest stretch in Triple-A ball, he has batted .273 with 18 home runs in just 55 games, earning him a brief chance to come back to the main roster.

According to The Athletic‘s Sam Blum, Adell said that he has also been working on his fielding in the minor leagues. In addition to weak hitting, defense has also been an issue for him in his time in MLB.

“I really put emphasis on defense — it’s been my goal has been since the season started. I feel good. I went down and worked really hard. I’m glad to be here. I’m ready to get after it.”

While it is unlikely that Adell can make a noticeable difference while Renfroe is away, he will likely remain a go-to call-up option for Los Angeles over the course of the season. He is expected to start in Thursday’s game against the Cubs.