Anthony Rendon’s hip surgery has kept him off the field as spring unfolds, leaving the Angels to navigate a crucial final season of his massive contract with little certainty about his 2026 viability. The organization is weighing whether to keep him through the 2025-ender and hope for a health return or clear a 40-man spot by letting him go, as the roster shifts push third base and center field to the forefront.

With Rendon sidelined, Los Angeles must replace significant production at third base—especially as Yoan Moncada and Luis Rengifo were the primary contributors at the position—and evaluate Bryce Teodosio as a potential center-field contributor. Free agency opens after the World Series, setting the stage for a cautious but decisive off-season to reshape the infield and outfield around an uncertain Rendon future.

Angels swept the Dodgers in a six-game set for the first time since interleague play began in 1997, snapping a long-standing learning curve for L.A. The Dodgers led into the eighth, but a bullpen that had been exposed by injuries and patchwork arms buckled, paving the way for a dramatic Angels rally that hinged on a deflected ball, a bases-loaded situation, and Logan O’Hoppe’s go-ahead two-run single.

The game also underscored Shohei Ohtani’s continued two-way impact: a first-inning triple, a heavy heater clocked near 103 mph, and a longer-than-expected stint on the mound, even as Betts and Freeman produced early offense for Los Angeles. Ohtani’s surge on the mound and at the plate keeps him at the center of fantasy and betting maps, while O’Hoppe’s late heroics put a spotlight on Angels’ depth behind him.

Dodgers had climbed nine games clear in early July, but a brutal stretch since then—four straight losses and a sub-.500 run—has them back in a tight NL West race with the Padres looming. The Padres’ five-game win streak and the looming two-series showdown over 10 days add a pressure-cooker dynamic to fantasy planning: the Dodgers’ bullpen questions remain decisive, while Ohtani’s ongoing two-way workload remains a unicorn for rosters.

From Teoscar Hernández’s late-inning strikeout to Bryce Teodosio’s defensive miscue, misplays and missed opportunities defined the Dodgers’ failure to close, while Betts extended an eight-game hitting streak and Will Smith delivered a timely homer. The weekend tilt with San Diego will likely determine the division trajectory and sharpen fantasy decision-making ahead of the August push.

The Los Angeles Angels have made a significant move, calling up Bryce Teodosio, a talented center fielder who went undrafted in 2021. Teodosio's promotion comes in response to the team's ongoing struggles with injuries and a lack of defensive depth. His recent success in AAA, where he posted a .331 average over 16 games, has earned him a starting role with the Angels. This chance is particularly important as Mike Trout's injury has limited his play. Teodosio's impressive defensive skills, honed during his time at Clemson, promise to enhance the Angels' outfield stability.

Teodosio's journey from undrafted player to major leaguer serves as a testament to resilience. Manager Sam Blum has confirmed that Teodosio will fill an everyday role, allowing other players like Jo Adell to shift positions. His arrival provides a much-needed defensive boost and gives the Angels a strong presence in center field, which has been a weak spot for the team this season. As the Angels navigate through injuries, Teodosio aims to seize this opportunity to establish himself in the majors.