The Los Angeles Angels could have a new battery Friday night vs Blue Jays

The Los Angeles Angels made a surprise move on Wednesday evening as they sent catcher Carlos Perez down to Triple-A Salt Lake City and promoted journeyman catcher Juan Graterol to replace him on roster.

The Los Angeles Angels planned to have catcher Carlos Perez and Martin Maldonado split time behind the plate this season.  However, Maldonado started hot both offensively and defensively and has been used in about 80 percent of the Angels games this season hitting .294 and has yet to make an error defensively. While Perez has one error, but more importantly is hitting .077.

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Manager Mike Scioscia said in an interview with MLB.Com’s Maria Guardado that he wants Perez to get more regular playing time in hopes of getting him back on track. “Carlos needs to play, get his game back,”  Scioscia said. “Juan (Graterol) is a really good fit for us up here and caught well for us last year, so the move was made because of that.”

Graterol played in nine games for the Angels in 2016 going four for 14 and hitting .286.  The Blue Jays had signed Graterol in the off-season, but sent him to the minors before the season started.  The Angels reacquired Graterol Wednesday for cash considerations or a player to be named later.

Another player the Angels have called up is pitcher Alex Meyer.  Meyer is one of the Angels top pitching prospects who was acquired last year along with Ricky Nolasco from the Minnesota Twins in a trade for Hector Santiago.  Meyer pitched in five games in September for the Angels going 1-2 with a 4.57 ERA in 21 innings of work.

Meyer had his best start of his Major League career on September 18th, 2016 against the Blue Jays.  Meyer went five innings giving up only two hits and three walks while striking out seven.  The most important thing is that he gave up no runs and picked up his first and right now his only Major League win.

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The reason the Angels are starting Meyer is to give the rest of the rotation an extra day of rest.  Hopefully history will repeat itself for Meyer and the Angels as they need to start a good stretch after a disastrous road trip where the team went 1-6.

Next: Is Cam Bedrosian the Angels best option at closer?

The rest of the four-game series for the Angels will see Tyler Skaggs, Jesse Chavez, and Ricky Nolasco start the game Saturday through Monday.  We will see how Meyer and Graterol will do and if they can help the Angels get back on the winning track.