The Los Angeles Angels placed José Quijada on the injured list after the left-hander noticed something with his elbow following his outing on Thursday.
The Angels’ combined 3.38 reliever ERA slots in as the eighth-best in Major League Baseball, even as they continue to find a blueprint at the backend of their bullpen. Mostly relying on a closer-by-committee approach, manager Phil Nevin has needed to sway towards matchup-based moves.
Logging a combined 98.2 innings heading into play on April 29, they’re set to lose one of their most oft-used relievers for an undisclosed period in Quijada. Feeling some soreness in his left elbow, the team decided to shut him down.
Quijada’s four-seam velocity dipped down into the low 90s with his average velocity sitting almost two miles an hour slower than his normal.
The Angels brought up Chris Devenksi to take his place in the bullpen, his first taste of Major League ball since his three appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of the 2022 season. He won’t take on a large role in the bullpen but will provide mop-up innings when needed.
Once a promising reliever for the Houston Astros, Devinski began to struggle and became more of a journeyman option. He was previously signed to a Minor League deal by the Angels, who will hope he can find some of his previous magic.
In addition, the Angels placed Logan O’Hoppe on the 60-day injured list following surgery to repair his torn labrum. He is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2023 season.
Tyler Anderson struggling to find a groove with Angels
The Angels opted to sign Tyler Anderson to join their staff after a career year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With a lifetime 4.62 ERA prior to joining the Dodgers, Anderson flipped his entire career on a dime. In 28 starts he posted a 2.57 ERA, 3.31 FIP, and a 15-5 record, making his first-ever All-Star Game appearance.
Minasian inked Anderson to a three-year $39 million contract, which could be one of two things, a bargain for a starter coming off that level of production, or a gamble because of his one season with the Dodgers and their pitching laboratory.
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