The Angels on Tuesday had both catchers on their roster in the starting lineup for the series finale against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Veteran Jonathan Lucroy was behind the plate to catch Angels starter Trevor Cahill and Kevan Smith was slotted in at designated hitter.
With left-hander Marco Gonzales starting for the Mariners, the configuration made sense. Smith hit left-handed pitching well throughout his minor league career. And first baseman Justin Bour, their other designated-hitter option for the day, toted a career .218 batting average against left-handers into Tuesday’s game.
Fletcher worked with catching coach Jose Molina during the exhibition Freeway Series last week to prepare for such a situation, manager Brad Ausmus said.