Angels Prospect Pulled From Triple A Game in the Middle of an Inning

Matthew Lugo before a game against the Yankees. | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Matthew Lugo is having a rollercoaster of a season in the Los Angeles Angels organiztion. Lugo, a 24-year old outfielder currently ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the Angels organization, started his season on the Triple A Salt Lake Bees. He was called up and made his major league debut on May 9th and started the next day.

Lugo came out on fire with nine hits in his first 25 at bats with three home runs, a double and a triple in his first eight games. With Mike Trout preparing to return from the injured list, Lugo was optioned back to Salt Lake after going 0-for-14 in his last few games.

More late-inning magic for the @Angels!

Matthew Lugo comes off the bench for a pinch-hit, go-ahead home run! pic.twitter.com/QUMNBo3fxz
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2025

Then on Sunday he was mysteriously pulled from a game in the middle of an inning. The timing was particularly odd because it was right after a ball dropped in front of him. No injury was reported and when you watch the replay, it's not like Lugo wasn't hustling.

Interesting play today in the Salt Lake game. Matthew Lugo was pulled from the game on this play. Looked like he hustled into get the ball and didn’t look hurt so pretty weird #Angels pic.twitter.com/GeOOsFPDD8
— Jared Tims (@Jared_Tims) June 2, 2025

You don’t see this too often: Matthew Lugo got pulled mid-inning in AAA after a fly ball dropped in front of him. pic.twitter.com/GJAdvSS2FU
— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) June 1, 2025

At least one person reported seeing Lugo hug the team's manager as he left the game, but there still hasn't been any report that Lugo has been called back up to the Angels.

@JeffFletcherOCR @BillShaikin Matthew Lugo was just pulled off the field in the bottom of the 3rd at Tacoma. The Salt Lake broadcaster said it wasn't an injury. Manager Keith Johnson gave him a hug in the dugout, then he went down the runway.

Read into it what you will.
— Stephen C. Smith / Нет войне 🇺🇦 (@WordsmithFL) June 1, 2025

So time will tell whether there's more news coming about Mike Trout's health or maybe the Angels are just looking for a spark as they have lost seven of their last eight games.