ANAHEIM -- The Angels went the entire first half of the season using just five starters to set a franchise record but still haven’t come up with a replacement for right-hander Jack Kochanowicz after he was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on July 11.
The Angels used a bullpen game in their first game out of the All-Star break in a 6-5 win over the Phillies and again in Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Mets. The bullpen game to open the second half was part of a strategy that allowed the Angels to use their four best starters against the Mariners in their critical series this week to kick off a 13-game homestand. But the series started off with a 4-2 loss on Thursday with Yusei Kikuchi allowing three runs over 4 2/3 innings to drop the Angels six games back of Seattle for the final AL Wild Card spot.
But the Angels can’t keep rolling out bullpen games every five days and will need to decide on a fifth starter, possibly as soon as for Monday’s game against the Rangers. They have an off-day looming on Thursday before their three-game series against the White Sox. Complicating matters for the Angels is that a few of their top options have been dealing with fatigue or load management.
Right-hander Caden Dana, ranked as the club’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, returned to Triple-A Salt Lake's rotation on Wednesday after missing more than a month with fatigue. He gave up one run on three hits over 2 1/3 innings on 52 pitches and will need more time to build up his pitch count.
Fellow right-hander Ryan Johnson, rated as their No. 2 prospect, has also been shut down to manage his workload but isn’t considered hurt. He last pitched on July 5, when he threw a one-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts with High-A Tri-City.
Right-hander Chase Silseth, who has 89 innings of Major League experience and competed for a rotation spot in Spring Training, has also been dealing with fatigue this year. He’s made five appearances in the Arizona Complex League and is expected to get moved up to Triple-A Salt Lake soon but is more likely to pitch in relief this season.
Kochanowicz technically could be brought back, as he’s eligible to return on Saturday. But he’s scheduled to start for Triple-A Salt Lake that night and allowed one unearned run over five innings with four walks in his Triple-A debut on Sunday. It’s more likely the Angels allow him to continue to work on things in the Minors.
With those options likely out of the mix, here’s a look at three other candidates to join the rotation in Kochanowicz’s absence.
RHP Victor Mederos
Mederos debuted in the Majors with the Angels as a 22-year-old in ‘23 but has posted an 8.76 ERA in 12 1/3 innings in the big leagues in parts of three seasons. But the now 24-year-old is putting it together in the Minors this year, posting a 4.00 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 30 walks in 69 2/3 innings with Triple-A Salt Lake. He’s also fared better in his two appearances in the Majors this year with a 4.50 ERA and four strikeouts in four innings. He still needs to improve his control but has made a strong case. He was also interestingly scratched from his start with Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, which could indicate a looming callup.
RHP George Klassen
Klassen, ranked as their No. 3 prospect, would be an exciting option, as the hard-thrower recently pitched in the All-Star Futures Game and has yet to reach the Majors. But he wouldn’t be able to join the rotation on Monday after he allowed three runs over six innings with Double-A Rocket City on Thursday. But he’s certainly someone worth monitoring, much like No. 8 prospect Sam Aldegheri, as he’s considered close to being ready for the big leagues. He missed about three weeks after being hit in the head by a line drive while pitching on May 11 and struggled after he returned but has been pitching better recently.
RHP Carson Fulmer
Fulmer is their internal option, as he has experience as both a starter and in long relief and rejoined the Angels on July 9. He’s been used in one-inning stints since throwing 5 1/3 innings in his season debut on July 10 but could give the Angels multiple innings. He could start the game or be the primary pitcher in a bullpen game. Lefty Jake Eder was the club's long reliever in their bullpen games, throwing three innings last Friday and six on Wednesday but was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.