Angels’ Matt Shoemaker says he will be ready for playoffs after left oblique strain

In the midst of a celebration on Monday night after they clinched a playoff spot, the Los Angeles Angels had a little bit of a damper on all of their good news.

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Matt Shoemaker, who has been nothing short of sensational this season in their starting rotation, had to exit the game with an apparent side injury. It turns out that he sustained a mild left oblique strain. That injury is likely to force Shoemaker to miss at least one start.

From Mike DiGiovanna:

Because the Angels have locked up a playoff spot and look to be on cruise control for a division title, they can afford to have Shoemaker miss a start or two between now and the end of the regular season. What they cannot afford, however, is to not have Shoemaker available for the playoffs.

For his part, Shoemaker insists he will be available.

In 27 total appearances this season, 20 of them as a starter, Shoemaker is 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA. If not for the presence of slugger Jose Abreu, Shoemaker might be the clear favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year award. He is a key piece of the puzzle for the Angels, especially given the fact that they lost Garrett Richards for the season to an injury.

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