Los Angeles Angels add relief to bullpen with Ramón Ramírez

The Los Angeles Angels made a low-risk move by signing Ramón Ramírez to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training back on Dec. 13.

The move was made just days after the Angels traded away reliever Trevor Gott to the Washington Nationals for third baseman Yunel Escobar. The Angels need another bullpen arm, and are hoping that Ramírez will be able to fill the hole.

The 34-year-old Dominican native will be joining his seventh major league team. Ramírez has a career record of 23-21 and a 3.42 career earned run average in 434.2 innings pitched.

The right-hander’s arsenal includes a fastball, changeup and a slider.

Ramírez spent last season pitching in Mexico and posted a solid 3.04 ERA in 68 innings of work. Ramírez last pitched in the majors for the Baltimore Orioles in 2014, but his season totals were one inning pitched, two strikeouts and one walk.

Ramírez was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in 1996 as an infielder, but was later released from the team. He spent the next three years learning to pitch back in the Dominican Republic before being signed to the New York Yankees’ minor league system.

Ramírez has been a bit wild and is prone to walking batters, but if he can bring back his career numbers, he can find a spot in the Angels’ bullpen. The Angels are sure hoping that he can turn back the clock and fill the shoes left by Gott.

Whether Ramirez will be effective enough to earn a roster only time will tell. The Los Angeles Angels may make some more moves in the next month before Spring Training starts.  However, they are hoping Ramirez will make an immediate impact and solidify the back end of the bullpen in 2016.