Bold opening hook: Even when you’re just warming up, the road back to the mound can feel like climbing a mountain—and that ascent is exactly what Caden Dana is navigating. And this is the part most people miss: the careful pacing after illness can define a pitcher’s season, not just one bullpen session. Angel fans are watching Dana’s comeback unfold with both caution and optimism.
Angels right-hander Caden Dana finally found his footing on the mound in Peoria, Arizona, stepping onto a practice mound for the first time since arriving at spring training with a persistent fever that was later diagnosed as mononucleosis. The setting was modest—no batter in the box and a mound tucked near the back door of the team’s facility—but the moment felt monumental, a symbolic summit after a trying stretch.
Dana emerged from the session expressing clear progress and an upbeat mindset about when he might join a spring game. “I definitely feel ready. I definitely feel on track,” he said, when asked about his timeline. He added a measured note of caution: he doesn’t want to rush the process or risk setbacks, choosing to place his trust in the Angels’ guidance and schedule.
This single throwing session was part of a broader day that spotlighted the Angels’ young pitching depth. Soon after Dana’s work, Tyler Bremner, another right-hander, faced hitters on a back field, showcasing a newly polished slider as the former No. 2 overall draft pick works to refine his repertoire. In the afternoon, George Klassen started in a Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners.
Among these prospects, Dana stands out for having Major League experience, with 10 appearances (eight starts) across the last two seasons. While his track record already proves he has more to prove, he’s just 22 and could receive even more opportunities this season.
His potential contribution this spring likely won’t come immediately after camp ends, but Dana isn’t setting limits on when he might be ready to contribute. “I felt right where I left off, to be honest,” he described the progression from January to Tuesday, noting that his full arsenal of pitches was coming back together smoothly. He recalled arriving at camp feeling strong and not encountering any major bumps in the road.
Health dictated how Dana eased back into activity. Once his condition improved, the Angels allowed him to play catch to maintain arm motion, starting with flat-ground sessions that quickly grew to include breaking balls. “I was coming in later in the day and was able to get in my throwing and spin and stay up to date,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of not having to build up throwing again from scratch once he felt better.
An additional confidence booster: Dana estimates he didn’t lose more than a pound during his illness, a fortunate outcome given the recovery demands. He lightheartedly credited part of his resilience to life at home with teammates Ben Joyce and Logan O’Hoppe, joking that a frequent backyard grill session helped him maintain his weight during rehab.
SLIDING BACK INTO ACTION
Beyond Dana, Bremner has been quietly finding his footing in camp as he reintroduces a slider under pitching coach Mike Maddux’s guidance. In Tuesday’s session, Bremner faced Angels hitters Nolan Schanuel and Denzer Guzman, reaching as high as 98 mph with his fastball and mixing in a changeup and what he estimated as seven to eight sliders.
“I felt like I wanted to fill up the zone a little more, but my stuff felt fine,” Bremner said, a UC Santa Barbara alum who noted he was encouraged by the outs he elicited. His plans for Cactus League appearances remain undetermined as of now. The Angels depart Arizona on March 21, with the Freeway Series against the Dodgers concluding March 24.
Bremner added that while he’s eager to get into a game, the decision ultimately rests with the club. “Whatever they tell me, I’m going to do.”
During his bullpen, Bremner worked without fielders or an umpire, receiving real-time guidance from Maddux, who stood behind a screen and provided feedback on pitch selection based on swings. Bremner highlighted the dynamic of learning to read swings and adjust pitch choices accordingly, noting that staying within himself and not overcomplicating things is a key part of the development process.
In sum, Dana’s return represents more than a single bullpen throw; it signals a deliberate, hopeful trajectory for a pitcher eyeing a larger role in a competitive Angels rotation. With a cohort of young arms around him and a coaching staff focused on refinement, the path back to the big leagues looks increasingly navigable—and the conversation about what this group could become in 2026 is just beginning.
