The Angels have made an announcement regarding the acquisition of reliever Hunter Strickland, who has signed a minor league contract. Strickland will join the team’s MLB camp as a non-roster invitee.
Strickland, an experienced player with nine seasons in the major leagues, has previously played for eight different clubs, including the Angels. In 2021, he made nine appearances for the Halos, but his performance was not exceptional, allowing nine runs in 6 1/3 innings. Consequently, he was designated for assignment and later traded to the Brewers for cash. However, Strickland bounced back with an impressive 1.73 ERA in 35 appearances for Milwaukee.
Although Strickland had a successful start to his MLB career with the Giants, his recent performances have been more inconsistent. In 2022, he struggled while playing for the Reds, giving up nearly five earned runs per nine innings in 66 appearances. As a result, he opted for a minor league contract and returned to the Cincinnati organization.
Unfortunately, Strickland’s second stint with the Reds was short-lived. He only pitched 12 times for Triple-A Louisville, allowing 14 runs in 11 innings. Consequently, the Reds released him in the second week of May. However, Strickland is determined to make a comeback and will use this spring to give it another shot.
Considering the current roster, it is unlikely that Strickland will secure a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The Angels already have a solid group of pitchers, including Carlos Estévez, Robert Stephenson, Matt Moore, Luis García, Adam Cimber, and José Cisnero, who are all expected to make the MLB roster. Additionally, José Suarez, a versatile pitcher, cannot be optioned to the minors. Therefore, it is anticipated that Strickland will be sent to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he will serve as a backup in case of injuries.
According to the Source mlbtraderumors.com