ANAHEIM -- Veteran reliever Hunter Strickland had been one of the club’s most dependable relievers since joining the Angels on May 20 but underwent a pair of MRI exams that revealed a significant strain in his right shoulder.
It caused the Angels to transfer Strickland to the 60-day injured list before Wednesday’s game against the Rangers, which means he’ll be out until at least early September. Strickland, though, was relieved that he won’t have to undergo surgery and is confident he’ll return before the end of the season. Strickland, 36, posted a 3.27 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 22 innings before sustaining his injury on Sunday in Toronto, which caused him to originally get placed on the 15-day IL on Monday.
“It’s not great news, but it’s not the worst news,” Strickland said. “It doesn't require surgery, which is the best-case, but it's significant time getting on the 60-day and building back up. Just be ready to finish the season. Hopefully we’re in a push then. That’s the goal.”
Fellow veteran right-hander Carson Fulmer had his contract selected from Triple-A Salt Lake to help fill the void left by Strickland’s injury, while prospect Sam Aldegheri was optioned back to Double-A Rocket City after he gave up five runs in two innings in relief in Tuesday’s 13-1 loss to the Rangers. Fulmer, 31, pitched with the Angels in both '23 and '24 and signed a Minor League deal to rejoin the club on June 4.
“It's unfortunate for Strick,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “Obviously, he's done everything we could have asked, and more. It's an opportunity for Carson. We're obviously familiar with him, which is good, and he's filled multiple roles, so he's gonna fit in great.”
Strickland was a key piece in the bullpen last year despite not pitching in '23, as he had a 3.31 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings. But he signed a Minor League deal with the Rangers in late March and was released on May 5 before signing with the Angels the next day. After being called up on May 20, he immediately solidified the bullpen, starting the season with 14 straight scoreless outings. He only gave up runs in three of his 19 appearances.
“Obviously, I want to play,” Strickland said. “And you pride yourself on being available every day, but it's unfortunately the nature of the business, so it's not great. But like I said, it could be a lot worse. So just got to take it in stride and be ready when I come back.”
Like Strickland, Fulmer didn’t appear in the Majors the year before he joined the Angels, as he didn’t pitch in the big leagues in ’22 but posted a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings with the club in '23 before taking on a bigger role last season with a 4.15 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 86 2/3 innings.
He also wasn’t initially brought back by the organization, as he signed a Minor League deal with the Pirates in December but was released on June 2 before signing with the Angels two days later. He fared well at Triple-A Salt Lake with a 1.54 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. He can give the Angels some versatility out of the bullpen, as he has experience in long relief.
“It’s familiar here, obviously some of my closest friends in baseball,” said Fulmer, who is particularly close with Strickland. “And it's really nice to be back but I got a job to do as well, so lock it in here and hopefully have some fun. Got quite a few innings this year already, so built up and ready for any role.”
Sam Aldegheri, ranked as the club’s No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was sent back to Double-A where he’ll continue to start. He was called up to give the Angels length out of the bullpen on Tuesday but struggled through a 42-pitch fifth inning and lasted two frames.
“Any time you don't have success at the Major League level, regardless of your status, it affects your psyche,” said Montgomery, when asked if it could affect Aldegheri’s development. “Certainly will affect your confidence, but I think that's part of the growth, too. You have to learn from it and bounce back and go forward.”