Los Angeles Angels make numerous roster moves

The Los Angeles Angels have made a number of roster moves in the past few days in hops of finding the right combination that will help them break out of their recent slump (4-8 record in last 12 games).

The Los Angeles Angels started the month of May strong winning seven of their first nine games to take over first place in the AL West. However, they have slumped severely as of late. The culprit has been a number of things. First and foremost has been the lack of consistency on offense. Secondly has been the issue of the bullpen.

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In the month of May the Angels bullpen has an 5.37 ERA. Couple this with losing two of their most consistent arms Keynan Middleton and Blake Wood to torn UCL’s in their elbow. So the Angels are some moves to bolster some areas of weakness.

First the Angels called up outfielder Michael Hermosillo from Triple-A Salt Lake City. So far in two games Hermosillo is two for six with two doubles filling for Kole Calhoun who is hitting close to .160. In addition to Hermosillo the Angels called up Ian Krol to be a eat some innings out of the bullpen.

Hermosillo was batting .267 with six homers and 21 runs batted in with seven stolen bases in 35 games for Triple-A Salt Lake City. He also plays above average defense and had an OBP of .389 for the Bees.

Krol is a lefty-specialist. He has been a reliever most of his career after being drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 7th round of the 2009 Amateur Draft. Krol is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 18 games for Salt Lake City this season. Krol has four saves and a 1.19 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 21 innings of work.

While he is up with the Angels Krol will give Angel manager Mike Scioscia two left-handed options out of the bullpen.

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The final player the Angels called up is catcher Jose Briceno who will replace Rene Rivera on the active roster. Rivera was placed on the 10-day disabled list with knee issues.

Briceno was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in 2016 along with shortstop Andrelton Simmons in what was Angels general manager Billy Eppler’s first major move when he joined the Angel front office in October 2016.

Briceno is hitting .261 with six homers and 20 runs batted in for Salt Lake City so far this season. He will be the back-up to starting catcher Martin Maldonado.

The Angels also made a couple of moves within their Triple-A Salt Lake City team. They released infielder Ryan Schimpf making him a free agent. They also traded first baseman Chris Carter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations.

Schimpf was called up to the Angels twice this season logging five at-bats going 1 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. He previously played 142 games over two seasons with the San Diego Padres hitting 34 homers and driving 76 runs with a .195 batting average.

Carter has been in the majors since 2010 playing Oakland, Houston, Milwaukee, and the New York Yankees smacking 158 home runs and driving 400 runs. He carries a career .217 batting average.

In 38 games for Triple-A Salt Lake City, Carter hit 13 homers with 43 RBIs and hit .255. Carter struck out 49 times in 145 at-bats for the Bees. There was just a glut of first basemen for the Angels with Jefry Marte, Albert Pujols, and Luis Valbuena.

The Angels also just promoted 2016 first round draft pick Matt Thaiss to Triple-A on Monday evening.

Next: Angels move up top prospects

Let’s see if any of the players who were called up to the Angels can provide a spark for the Angels. The Angels will take on the Blue Jays for two more games before traveling to New York to face the Yankees this weekend.

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