Los Angeles Angels continue to maneuver roster.

The Los Angeles Angels have been tinkering with their roster over the past couple of weeks and continue to do so this week in hopes of finding that winning combination.

Just in the past week the Los Angeles Angels have tried to restructure part of their roster playing musical chairs with their bullpen. First the Angels released Al Albuquerque without throwing a pitch in a major league game this season. Albuquerque was given a 1.1 million dollar contract in the off-season, but did not make the Opening Day roster and then was relatively ineffective in Triple-A prompting the Angels to designate him for assignment making him a free-agent. Albuquerque elected to accept an assignment back to Triple-A, but he is no longer part of the Los Angeles Angels 40-man roster.

A.J. Achter, Danny Reynolds, and also most recently Lucas Luetege have been removed from the Angels 40-man roster to make room for other players such as Tim Lincecum, and Jhoulys Chacin.

Luetege only pitched in only one game. Achter pitched a couple of innings in relief on Friday and was charged with five runs in two inning. Danny Reynolds also was designated without throwing a pitch for the Angels. Javy Guerra was also designated for assignment after having a couple of poor outings in relief and after clearing waivers he was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City.

So who have the Los Angeles Angels brought up to take the roster spots in the majors. Sunday they purchased the contract of reliever Deolis Guerra from Salt Lake City and he will be in the Angels bullpen for the time being. So far he has pitched one inning not giving up any runs.

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Guerra, who was a Rule 5 Selection this winter that did not make the Opening Day roster. He was put through the waiver process and was not claimed so the Angels assigned him to Triple-A Salt Lake where he flourished giving up no runs in five innings while giving up three hits and striking out seven batters.

Kaleb Cowart also was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to provide infield depth. Cowart is batting .303 with .352 OBP and .454 SLG. for Salt Lake City with two homers and 27 RBI’s in 152 at-bats. Cowart was an Angels first round draft pick in 2010.

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The Los Angeles Angels have shown signs of life due to some of these call-ups most notably infielder Gregorio Petit who is a slick fielding middle infielder with great range who in some part has softened the blow of losing defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons. Petit is also had some success at the plate batting .262 with three RBI’s in 42 at-bats since being called up to majors.

Outfielder Rafael Ortega has also played very well both offensively and defensively. Ortega is batting .275 with one home run and nine RBI’s plus he has stolen three bases. Defensively he has made numerous amazing plays including a sliding catch near the foul line in the 9th inning of the Angels series-clinching 7-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Within the next few weeks there will be more moves forthcoming as players that have been on the disabled list are close to returning. C.J. Wilson and Huston Street are starting rehab assignments this week and Tyler Skaggs is not far behind in resuming his rehab. Infielder Cliff Pennington and outfielder Craig Gentry have started rehab assignments as well (Gentry left his rehab assignment for a personal injury issue, so his timetable for return may change).

Hopefully these maneuvers will become less frequent as the season goes along so the Los Angeles Angels can build some continuity within their clubhouse (not saying it’s a problem, but consistency builds team chemistry).

The Los Angeles Angels have been tinkering with their roster over the past couple of weeks and continue to do so this week in hopes of finding that winning combination.

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