After initially being left off the American League roster for the upcoming All-Star Game, Los Angeles Angels closer Carlos Estévez was added as a replacement.
Estévez has been terrific this season, owning a 1.85 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, with 21 saves in as many opportunities. He remains the only closer with at least 10 save opportunities to have not blown a save.
The 30-year-old showed some frustration when he was left off the roster when the first slate of players was announced, but with Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase missing the game, a slot opened up in the AL bullpen.
Estévez is in his first season with the Angels, and upon learning the news of his addition to the roster, he was ecstatic, per Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“It feels amazing,” Estévez said. “I’m really excited. I’ve lost words for the feeling. It’s really amazing.”
There’s still time for other members of the Angels to be added, but with Brandon Drury nursing a shoulder injury, he isn’t a prime candidate as an alternate.
Angels manager Phil Nevin gave a ringing endorsement of his now, All-Star closer prior to him being added, citing the track record on the season and how deserving he was. Estévez joins an AL bullpen consisting of Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano from the Baltimore Orioles and Kenley Jansen of the Boston Red Sox.
Other players need to step up for Angels amid injuries
The stockpile of injuries has created opportunities for other players to prove their worth and help keep the team afloat during the second half of the season.
With Mike Trout undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left hamate, both Anthony Rendon and Shohei Ohtani are dealing with their own ailments. Thankfully, the latter two are hoping to avoid anything to put them on the injured list.
Rendon sustained a left shin bruise after fouling a ball off his left leg and Ohtani is dealing with a cracked fingernail & a blister issue.
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