The Los Angeles Angels designated relief pitcher Ryan Tepera for assignment on Sunday and recalled right-handed pitcher Zack Weiss from Triple-A Salt Lake, the club announced.
Tepera was making $7 million this season in the final year of a two-year, $14 million deal he signed last offseason. If he gets claimed on waivers, which is unlikely, his new team would be required to pay the remaining salary of roughly $5 million.
The 35-year-old was struggling before the Angels decided to make the change. He posted a 7.27 ERA, 5.71 FIP, and 2.07 WHIP in 8.2 innings, giving him a -0.2 WAR That prompted the Angels to move on from the veteran reliever, who was a high-leverage option just one season ago.
Angels manager Phil Nevin said the decision was based on the combination of the decline in his stuff and the lack of effectiveness, via Anthony Poisal of The Orange County Register:
“It’s some results stuff, and the velocity was down a little bit,” manager Phil Nevin said. “We just felt this was the right move to make to better our team.”
Tepera pitched 57.1 innings last season, posting a 3.61 ERA. This season, he dealt with shoulder inflammation, which may also be a factor in his struggles, but for an Angels club focused on making the postseason, they felt it was the right time to move on.
While on the injured list, Tepera believed he improved his mechanics and hoped it would help him find some better results and consistency, but it didn’t work out.
His final game with the Angels resulted in the Cleveland Guardians blasting two home runs off him.
Tepera has enjoyed a solid career with a 3.59 ERA and 4.06 FIP across 363.1 innings pitched, so another team may ultimately give him a chance on their roster.
Zack Weiss recalled by Angels
Weiss joins the Angels bullpen for the first time this season after limited opportunities last year.
The 30-year-old has not been very effective with Salt Lake, pitching to a 6.75 ERA in 12 innings. Last year with the Angels, Weiss pitched 13.1 innings with a 3.38 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.
He made his debut for the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 when he gave up four runs and recorded no outs, and he did not receive another opportunity until 2022.
It remains to be seen if he will stick around with the club for the long term, but it makes sense to give him an extended look and see what other options they have in the organization.
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