Los Angeles Angels get to keep Deolis Guerra as he clears waivers.

The Los Angeles Angels took a chance last week when they acquired right-handed pitcher Austin Adams from the Cleveland Indians.  In order to add him to the 40-man roster they had to make someone expendable.

The person the Los Angeles Angels put on waivers was 2016 surprise reliever Deolis Guerra.  Guerra was one of the biggest surprises for the Angels in 2016 as pitched very well out of the bullpen being used in the 6th through 8th inning.  Guerra was 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.106 WHIP while striking out 36 batters in 53 innings.

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Just like last season it looks like Guerra will have to fight for a roster spot during Spring Training.  Last season Guerra was sent down to the minors when the season started, but he was called up to the Angels multiple times during the season with all of the Angels injuries to their pitchers.

Every time the Angels called Guerra up last season he seemed to deliver no matter what inning they put him in the game 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th innings he was able to perform.  With all this being said the Angels found Guerra to be expendable with all the strength they now seem to have in their bullpen.

Huston Street appears to be healthy as does Cam Bedrosian.  The Angels also signed Andrew Bailey to a contract for this season as well.  In addition J.C. Ramirez is still in the fold and possibly Non-Roster invitee Yusmeiro Petit so the cupboard is anything but bare.

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Austin Adams is now a reliever, but has also been a starter pitching in the minors since 2009 where he was 32-26 with a 3.33 ERA with 458 strikeouts in 443.2 innings. Adams has pitched in the majors for the Cleveland Indians over parts of the last three seasons pitching in 53 games with a 2-0 record with a 6.29 ERA. The Angels thought highly enough of Adams that they opened up a roster spot for him after acquiring him last week from the Indians.

Unfortunately Guerra was the odd-man out when the move for Adams was made.  However, when the Angels put Guerra on waivers he was not claimed by any team and so the Angels were able to outright him to Triple-A Salt Lake which was a deal Guerra accepted.

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The question now becomes for Guerra, will he ever be in the Angels future plans and the answer remains to be seen.  If Guerra can continue to be effective and the Angels have some injury issues again in 2017 you can very well see Guerra pitching in a Halos’ uniform before the 2017 season is over.