Once a hot commodity, Kubitza is sent packing
Seventeen months ago, the Angels jettisoned a young pitcher they had doted on to acquire a player they called their third baseman of the future.
Monday, they designated that player for assignment, proving once again that one general manager’s coup is another general manager’s rubble.
Jerry Dipoto was elated to acquire Kyle Kubitza. Billy Eppler willingly removed him from the Angels’ 40-man roster in favor of another reliever.
In January 2015, the Angels parted ways with highly regarded teenage left-hander Ricardo Sanchez to wrestle Kubitza from the Atlanta Braves. They also added minor league right-hander Nate Hyatt, who has since retired.
“At the end of the day,” Dipoto said of the trade, “we’re projecting a third baseman who can play in the big leagues sooner rather than later, who fills a void and who has a strong ceiling himself.”
Kubitza, 25, had not been awful as an Angel, but he did not acquit himself well in a brief major league stint last season and lacked an overarching skill. He could still be claimed on waivers by Dipoto’s Seattle Mariners.
A removal from the 40-man roster was necessary to purchase the contract of right-hander Al Alburquerque, who finally was added to the Angels bullpen Monday, 10 weeks later than expected.
Also, the Angels designated left-hander David Huff for assignment and recalled right-handed reliever A.J. Achter from triple-A Salt Lake for his fourth stint in the majors in 2016.
Huff lost both of his abbreviated spot starts as an Angel.
Short hops
Manager Mike Scioscia said that right-hander Tim Lincecum would “definitely” start over the weekend in Oakland, probably Saturday. …left-hander C.J. Wilson is taking “baby steps” on his road to recovery, Scioscia said. Wilson has not pitched in a major league game since July because of elbow surgery and accompanying problems. …Shortstop Andrelton Simmons (torn thumb) made significant progress over the weekend for triple-A Salt Lake and could return to the Angels by Wednesday. …right-hander Nick Tropeano (shoulder tendinitis) threw a bullpen session Monday. … lefthander Andrew Heaney (partially torn ulnar collateral ligament) had an ultrasound on his left elbow Monday that showed improvement, Eppler said. There is not yet a plan for Heaney to resume throwing, but he is scheduled to undergo another ultrasound in two to three weeks.