Prior to the 2021 season, the Los Angeles Angels made the surprising move of optioning Ty Buttrey to the Minor Leagues, and shortly thereafter he announced on social media that he was retiring from baseball.
He reiterated that his choice wasn’t predicated on being optioned and simply had to do with him no longer loving the game of baseball. In his three seasons with the Angels, he posted an ERA of 4.30 and a FIP of 3.56.
In 2018 he had his best season, notching a 3.31 ERA and a 1.63 FIP, which is much more indicative of who he is as a pitcher considering the circumstances surrounding his retirement after the 60-game season in 2020.
But Buttrey decided it was time to get back on the mound in December of last year and said it felt good, and ‘normal.’ The same feeling he had when he was at his best was back, except the only issue is, his velocity was not.
Those setbacks are understandable, and Buttrey believes his mentality on baseball is refreshed, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“My perspective on the game — I couldn’t have had this if I hadn’t went through what I went through,” Buttrey said. “I realized during that time off that I was forcing a lot of things. I was going to anyone and everyone to try and find an edge versus just understanding who I am as a pitcher.”
Buttrey hasn’t had positive results in Triple-A Salt Lake with a 4.35 ERA in 11 appearances and has only notched three strikeouts in 10.1 innings, but still believes he will end up back with the Angels within the next year:
“I think it’s a possibility,” Buttrey said when asked if he thought making the majors might have to wait until next season. “Obviously, in the best way I can mean this, I want to put pressure on them to call me up. That’s my goal. I want to be celebrating winning that World Series with the team:
“I 100 percent expect and hope to get called up. But at the end of the day, I can control what I can control. And if the club doesn’t feel that I add value at the time, then my job is to come in next year and do what I need to do.”
Given that Buttrey is under team control through 2025, and the flashes he’s shown in the past for the Angels, patience wouldn’t be the worst thing for the right-hander:
“He’s pitching, he’s gotten better every time out,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said of Buttrey. “He’ll continue to pitch and we like what we’re seeing so far.”
After Buttrey officially retired, Angels manager Joe Maddon offered his full support and would definitely love to have him back with the team when he’s ready.
Michael Lorenzen proud of High School alma mater
Before being drafted, Michael Lorenzen pitched collegiately at Cal State Fullerton for the Titans and at Fullerton Union High School for the Indians.
The 30-year-old was on hand to watch the Indians play in the state title game at Cal State Fullerton just hours before his start against the Oakland Athletics, and he couldn’t be more proud of his high school alma mater for advancing as far as they have.
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