Maddon sees Iglesias as not just a closer, but a leader
TEMPE, ARIZ. » Joe Maddon is hoping he can finally reap the benefits of a pitcher who used to give his teams so much trouble.
Desperate to fix a shaky bullpen, the Angels acquired closer Raisel Iglesias from the Cincinnati Reds in December. They brought in a pitcher whom Maddon never wanted to see when he was managing the Chicago Cubs.
“It’s premium stuff, premium closer stuff,” Maddon said. “When he’s on a really good roll, hitters do not like going up there.”
Iglesias, 31, comes to the Angels with a résumé that includes 100 saves over the past four seasons with the Reds, with a 2.95 ERA. Although he struggled in 2019, which he attributed to some personal issues that preoccupied him in the previous winter, he bounced back to post a 2.74 ERA in 2020.
Maddon had liked Iglesias from the other side of the field, and now that they’ve been together in spring training, he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from the person.
“He’s a craftsman,” Maddon said. “He’s really into his bullpen (teammates). He wants to be the guy that’s in charge down there. He wants to be able to set an example and be the kind of mentor for the rest of the group, which I love, in spite of the language barrier.”
Iglesias, who is from Cuba, still conducts interviews using an interpreter.
He defected in 2013 — on his second try — and signed with the Reds in 2014, receiving a seven-year, $27 million deal.
The Reds initially used Iglesias as a starter, with fellow Cuban Aroldis Chapman entrenched at the back of their bullpen. After Chapman was traded, Iglesias became the Reds’ closer, a job he has relished.
“It’s the most important three outs of the game,” Iglesias said. “You could have a starter go out there and throw five, six, seven, eight innings and then I could go in there for the last three outs and take that hard work away from him. I take pride in going out there for the last three outs with my main focus on closing the game.”
In his first year as a closer, Iglesias performed well, but the right-handed pitcher had some issues with lefthanded hitters. In 2018, though, he started throwing his changeup more often to lefties, and it’s helped him to even out his numbers.
He now throws his fastball, which averages 96 mph, about 45% of the time, complementing that mostly with sliders against righties and changeups vs. lefties.
Despite his success with the Reds, who were a playoff team in 2020, they traded him to the Angels over the winter, a move likely dictated by money. Iglesias is set to make $9.125 million in 2021.
“I was surprised at first because I didn’t expect it,”
Iglesias said. “But once they called, my lawyers and my agent, I was definitely excited to come over here.”
Iglesias said he’s also been surprised at how quickly he’s bonded with his new teammates. (He had played for one year in Cincinnati with shortstop Jose Iglesias, a fellow Cuban but no relation.)
As Maddon said, he’s also trying to be a leader to the relievers.
“I love going out there and sharing my experiences,” he said. “I try to help them, show my support.”
McCurry, 29, is non-roster invitee to camp. He has never pitched in the majors. He spent the past three years in Triple-A with the Houston Astros.
Luke Bard received an injection in his hip, and he’ll be re-evaluated in the next 72 hours. Aaron Slegers and Dillon Peters, who both had back spasms, have resumed throwing. Peters is throwing up to 180 feet and was scheduled for a bullpen session Thursday.
Bard, Slegers and Peters all have options, so none was a lock to make the Opening Day roster.
Brandon Marsh continues to throw. He’ll be evaluated over the next week to determine when he can play outfield in a game. He’s been limited to designated hitter so far because of an arm issue.
Max Stassi could catch in a game within a couple days. Stassi, who had hip surgery, has been limited to DH in games so far. He is expected to be ready to be the No. 1 catcher by Opening Day.
GAME RECAP: ANGELS 5, GIANTS 4
THE GAME: Mike Trout and Dexter Fowler homered and Albert Pujols had three hits in the Angels’ 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants in a seven-inning Cactus League game on Thursday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
PITCHING REPORT: Right-hander Griffin Canning pitched a perfect first inning, but in the second he lost his control and walked the bases loaded. He then gave up a bases-clearing double to Will Wilson, the shortstop the Angels traded to the Giants to unload Zack Cozart’s contract. Canning was then pulled, but he returned for the third inning. He issued a walk and gave up a hit, and then was done for the day. Asked what the difference was from the first inning to the others, he said: “I don’t know. That’s what sucks about baseball. But I just need to be able to find that difference a little bit quicker.” ... Right-hander Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless inning, working around a hit and a walk. Iglesias has allowed one run in three innings this spring. ... Right-hander Mike Mayers returned to the mound for the first time since he was knocked out after allowing five runs and getting hit in the leg by a comebacker. He pitched a scoreless inning.
HITTING REPORT: Trout lofted a soaring drive over the berm beyond the left field fence, for his first home run of the spring. Trout is 3 for 11 . ... Shohei Ohtani punched a hit down the third base line. He rounded first aggressively and then slammed on the brakes, stumbling and sliding headfirst back into the base. Ohtani then was thrown out at the plate trying to score from first on a Pujols hit down the left field line. Ohtani also hit a seemingly routine ground ball to shortstop and beat it out for a hit, and he smashed a line drive into center field, but LaMonte Wade Jr. made a leaping catch. Ohtani is 7 for 13 this spring . ... Pujols had three hits, including a double, to improve to 7 for 13 this spring . ... Fowler hit a two-run homer, his first of the spring. His home run snapped a tie in the fourth inning.
DEFENSE REPORT: Third baseman Anthony Rendon made a barehand pickup but his throw to first was not in time to get the out . ... Jo Adell finished the game in center field. He’s played all three outfield positions so far this spring. Adell’s three innings in center were uneventful.
UP NEXT: Angels vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, today, noon PT, Tempe Diablo Stadium, Fox Sports West, 830 AM
— Jeff Fletcher