The Los Angeles Angels starting rotation was a bright spot last season and should once again be one of the team’s strengths this year following the addition of Tyler Anderson, and the continued development of Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers and José Suarez.
With Shohei Ohtani leading the group as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, the Angels have plenty to look forward to as they attempt to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
To maximize Ohtani’s effectiveness since he will also serve as the Angels’ designated hitter, the team is planning to utilize a six-man starting rotation. Among the candidates still in the running for the final spot are Jaime Barría, Griffin Canning, Tucker Davidson and Chase Silseth.
Angels manager Phil Nevin said the decision to name a sixth starter will be difficult and that whoever emerges won’t take the mound until April 12, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group:
Nevin said the Angels will use their sixth starter for the first time on April 12, which is their 12th game of the season. He said that they still have four candidates for the role: left-hander Tucker Davidson and right-handers Jaime Barría, Griffin Canning and Chase Silseth.
“It’s a difficult decision,” Nevin said. “They are all pitching well.”
As Nevin noted, each of the aforementioned starters have made their case for the No. 6 starter job this spring. Canning may have the best overall numbers as he owns a 1-0 record, 0.93 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 9.2 innings of work thus far (three games).
Davidson has also pitched well, posting a 1-0 record, 1.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 12.0 strikeouts per nine in 10 innings pitched (four appearances).
Silseth additionally has thrived to the tune of a 1-0 record, 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 10.8 strikeouts per nine in 10 innings pitched (three starts). Barría, however, has allowed seven runs on eight hits in just four innings of work (two games).
Angels sign Evan Marshall to Minor League contract
The Los Angeles Dodgers added some potential bullpen depth last week in the form of veteran right-hander Evan Marshall, who was signed to a Minor League contract.
Marshall missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and hasn’t appeared in a Major League game since June 29, 2021.
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