The Los Angeles Angels made several roster moves prior to series finale against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, including activating Aaron Loup off the 15-day injured list and selecting the contracts of Reyes Moronta and Jacob Webb from Triple-A Salt Lake.
The Angels bullpen has been inconsistent this season, particularly in the middle innings, where the team has struggled to bridge the gap to Matt Moore and Carlos Estévez. Both relievers in the back-end have been impressive, but the group as a whole still needs some work.
Angels manager Phil Nevin is hopeful the new additions will help bring stability to the bullpen, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
“That’s where we’ve had some issues,” Nevin said. “The back end, obviously, has been very solid. We’re adding two guys who have pitched in the big leagues a lot.”
As Nevin noted, Loup and Moronta add experience to the Angels bullpen, and the former gives them a third left-handed option to go along with Tucker Davidson and Moore.
Loup has pitched to an 0-2 record, 7.00 ERA, 3.85 ERA and 2.11 WHIP in 11 appearances this season. He is only two years removed from posting a minuscule 0.95 ERA in 65 games as a member of the New York Mets.
Moronta retired two of five batters faced in his team debut against the Twins. Prior to that, he last pitched in the Majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2022 season. The 30-year-old has also thrown three scoreless innings with the Bees this year.
Webb has not pitched in the big leagues since 2019 with the Atlanta Braves. He went 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and 10.9 strikeouts per nine in 16 games for the Bees before his promotion.
Angels demote three players
To make room on the active roster for Loup, Moronta and Webb, the Angels optioned Jimmy Herget, Andrew Wantz and Zack Weiss to Salt Lake.
Wantz and Herget have been key members of the bullpen over the past two seasons, but both have had some struggles recently, which help prompt the move, in addition to their options remaining. Weiss was just recalled recently, but he could not find any success at the Major League level.
All three will likely see time with the Angels again this season.
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