Strickland fills the Angels’ need for aggressive reliever
ANAHEIM » Hunter Strickland made his major league debut in 2014 as a Sept. 1 call-up with the San Francisco Giants. Within two months, he had a World Series ring.
The last few seasons haven’t gone so smoothly for the Angels’ newest reliever. Strickland signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 2. On Saturday, less than three months later, he found himself traded to his sixth team in four years.
“It’s definitely a transition but that’s part of the gig,” Strickland said. “Luckily I have a great, amazing wife, family that’s very supportive of any situation, understands my role and my position, and just open to helping any team win.”
Strickland was pitching well for the Rays at the time of the trade. He had allowed just three earned runs in 16 innings, good for a 1.69 ERA. Because he couldn’t be sent to the minor leagues without clearing waivers, Strickland became the odd man out of the bullpen when Tampa Bay’s roster was crunched.
The 32-year-old righthander was a good match for the Angels, whose relievers ranked 14th in the American League in ERA (5.25) and last in average fastball velocity (91.6 mph). The Angels obtained him for a player to be named later or cash.
Early in his career, Strickland’s fastball ranked in the upper echelon of baseball’s hardest throwers. It’s been a few years since he last touched 100 mph, but that hasn’t diminished his effectiveness. Strickland’s increased reliance on his slider — he throws it about 40% of the time now — seems to have made him a less predictable pitcher.
“The more you practice, the more you throw it, the more confident you get,” he said.
Manager Joe Maddon, who saw Strickland often in the National League from the Cubs’ dugout, said the pitcher’s reputation hasn’t diminished.
“An aggressive sort. Goes after hitters,” Maddon said of Strickland. “He is the guy that will take the ball. He’ll come out there with the same stuff every time you see him. Definitely not afraid. He definitely creates greater depth within our bullpen.”
Injury updates
Second baseman David Fletcher was held out of the lineup for the second consecutive game with a groin injury, but he is expected to avoid the injured list. Maddon said Fletcher’s return “should just be a couple days” away.
Phil Gosselin got the start at second base, and right fielder Taylor Ward batted leadoff, when the Angels opened a 10-game homestand on Monday night against the Cleveland Indians.
Pitcher Chris Rodriguez (right shoulder inflammation) has progressed to throwing from more than 100 feet. Maddon did not provide an estimated timetable for the right-hander to return.
Maddon said Sunday was catcher Max Stassi’s best day since he was placed on the injured list with a concussion.
Also
The California Department of Public Health is expected to revise its COVID-19 tier classifications for every county in the state today, based on the most recent data. Orange County is on the brink of moving into the less-restrictive yellow tier. However, because of a 6-foot physical distancing mandate, Angel Stadium will not be able to expand its capacity beyond approximately 14,000 during the homestand.