Bullpen by committee is best in AL
With flexible roles and no named closer, the Angels’ bullpen is a group effort.
That couldn’t have be more true than on Wednesday when, as the game stretched into extra innings, all eight relievers contributed to shut down a highly regarded Cleveland lineup.
They limited the Indians to two singles in 81⁄3 scoreless innings, striking out nine.
“Each one of our guys know when they come into a game there’s a lot riding on it,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “Those guys did a terrific job. They’ve really done the job, outside of maybe one game this year.”
Entering Friday, the Angels’ bullpen led the American League in earned-run average and was holding hitters to the lowest batting average and on-base-plusslugging percentage.
No set of relievers in the AL had more strikeouts. The Angels also were the only AL bullpen that had not given up a home run, until Cam Bedrosian gave up a tworun shot to Oakland’s Matt Chapman on Friday night.
They were put to the test early Friday when Parker Bridwell was lifted after getting only five outs.
Shoemaker update
Matt Shoemaker called his MRI results “very encouraging,” but the righthander knows his future is cloudy until further testing.
He’s scheduled for an electromyography and nerve conduction study Monday to determine the cause of his forearm strain.
The Angels’ No. 3 starter was put on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday. His MRI revealed no “acute trauma,” a team statement said.
Shoemaker didn’t pitch after mid-June last season because of a nerve condition in his right forearm. He eventually had surgery.
Kinsler update
Second baseman Ian Kinsler worked out on the field before Friday’s game, his first baseball activity since aggravating his sore left adductor in the seasonopening series in Oakland.
Kinsler will be reevaluated Saturday. He is eligible to return Tuesday, though it’s unclear if he’ll be ready.
Short hops
Andrew Heaney (elbow inflammation) gave up one run and two hits in 61⁄3 innings of a rehab start for single-A Inland Empire. The Angels are likely to add a sixth starter to their rotation next week in Kansas City . ... The Angels lost Troy Scribner when the righthander was claimed off waivers by Arizona. He appeared in 10 games last season.