The Los Angeles Angels bullpen was dealt a hefty blow with the loss of José Quijada and Austin Warren going down with injuries requiring Tommy John surgery.
Quijada was slated to be a huge factor in their backend plans, but from the start of play this season to his final outing, the lefty posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP in nine innings. He did log four saves among his 10 appearances, but with Carlos Estévez settled into the closer role, the Angels feel comfortable with where they’re at.
Warren on the other hand, began the year in Triple-A with the Salt Lake Bees, and after just 1.2 innings over two outings, went down with a significant arm injury as well.
The pair will both undergo the UCL reconstructive surgery on the same day, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic:
Quijada and Warren will both get Tommy John surgery on May 17 and will miss the whole season. Dr. Keith Meister will perform Warren’s surgery.
Although Warren wasn’t initially scheduled to be a main factor in the Angels’ bullpen plans, his absence takes a piece away from Phil Nevin’s depth if there becomes a need for arms. The 27-year-old was drafted by the club in 2018, and has been trying to capture the same success he had in his rookie season:
“It’s been tough,” Warren said. “Especially with the freak accident last year in Boston, getting hit in the nose … you want to be here. It’s a tough road. Stuff happens.”
Nevin has done a solid job managing the bullpen to the tune of a sixth-best combined 3.24 ERA over 144.2 innings pitched.
Test reveals no structural damage for Angels starter José Suarez
After exiting his most recent start in the third inning against the Texas Rangers, it was revealed José Suarez was dealing with a shoulder strain in his throwing arm.
Suarez has been stuck in the midst of his toughest stretch as a Major League pitcher, allowing a 7.89 ERA through 21.2 innings heading into his fifth start. But through 2.2 innings versus the Rangers, the lefty allowed seven earned runs on six hits, including two homers.
Suarez and the Angels received good news after tests showed no structural damage and will be shut down for multiple weeks.
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