Angels hire retired pitcher as bullpen coach

The Angels are hiring Steve Karsay to serve as bullpen coach, according to Sam Blum and Will Sammon of The Athletic. He’ll work alongside new pitching coach Barry Enright in Ron Washington’s first season leading the charge.

Karsay spent more than a decade in the big leagues, suiting up for five teams between 1993 to 2006. He’d eventually move into coaching in the Cleveland farm system before joining a big league staff over the 2018-19 offseason. The Brewers tabbed Karsay as bullpen coach for three seasons under Craig Counsell. He stepped down in January 2022 to spend more time with his family.

The 51-year-old is evidently now in position to return to a regular coaching role. He’ll oversee a relief corps that was one of the worst in the majors this year. Los Angeles finished 25th with a 4.88 ERA and struck out only 22% of batters faced, the fifth-lowest figure in MLB. Only the Rockies had a worse run-prevention mark in the second half, as All-Star closer Carlos Estevez tailed off down the stretch. Among returning relievers with 20+ innings pitched, just Estevez and Jose Soriano allowed fewer than four earned runs per nine overall.

Upgrading the relief unit should be a clear priority for GM Perry Minasian and his front office. The Halos have already been linked to Robert Stephenson, arguably the No. 2 free-agent bullpen arm available.