After an impressive showing in his first MLB action, Austin Warren looked to establish himself as a key member of the Los Angeles Angels bullpen during the 2022 season.
The right-hander was included on the team’s Opening Day roster and he immediately found success by putting up zeroes in his first two appearances of the year.
Warren, however, would endure some struggles and finished the month of April with a 4.32 ERA in seven games. He then suffered a tough break in May as he was hit on the right side of his face with a ball during batting practice and had to undergo nasal surgery.
Warren went on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake in early June, and after making four appearances, he returned to the Angels.
The 26-year-old pitched in two games for L.A. before being optioned back to the Bees. Warren appeared in five games and earned another call-up to the Angels prior to the MLB All-Star break.
Warren continued to struggle over a five-game sample and was sent back down to Salt Lake for the remainder of the 2022 season.
In 14 appearances at the Major League level, Warren went 2-0 with a 5.63 ERA, 5.36 FIP, 1.50 WHIP and 5.1 strikeouts per nine over 16 innings of work. He found more success with the Bees, going 2-0 with a 2.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 in 34 innings pitched (29 games).
Austin Warren 2022 highlight
Warren enjoyed his best performance of the 2022 season on April 29 against the Chicago White Sox, when he retired all six batters faced over two scoreless innings with one strikeout.
2023 outlook
The Angels designated Warren for assignment earlier this month to make room on the 40-man roster for outfielder Brett Phillips, who was signed to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
Warren has since cleared waivers and was assigned to Salt Lake. He will presumably begin the 2023 season with the Bees, and if the Angels hope to bring him back up at some point, they would have to add him back to the 40-man roster.
With the volatility of relievers, it would not be surprising to see Warren return to help the club, but he will first need to prove himself at the Minor League level, or during Spring Training.
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