Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval is looking for a new and fresh start in 2024. The 2023 season wasn't so kind to the Angels, especially their pitching staff.
The Angels had a 4.64 team ERA in 2023, the eighth-worst in all of baseball. That didn't sit well with Sandoval.
The 27-year-old appeared on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM and revealed his and the pitching staff's goals for the upcoming season.
"We want to limit the use of them [the guys in the bullpen]. As starters, we want them to have their days off."
Sandoval was a part of the problem. His numbers decreased all across the board compared to his 2022 numbers. He pitched over 100 innings for the second time in his career and the second time in a row. However, Sandoval gave up more runs, hits, and the highest average of his career last season.
Out of his 28 starts, he only reached six-plus innings nine times. That's not a recipe for a successful pitching staff.
Sandoval and the other starting pitchers have made it their priority to be better, and thus far in spring, they've improved, as they led the Cactus League in ERA entering Wednesday's split-squad action.
Additionally, the front office made sure to bolster the bullpen, as they brought back Matt Moore and signed Robert Stephenson, among other moves.
The Angels pitching staff appears to be in a better spot entering 2024. It'll be up to the players to live up to their potential.
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