It’s uncommon for teams to designate a pitcher for assignment in order to make room for a position player, or vice versa, but the Los Angeles Angels just made that kind of move. GM Perry Minasian decided to take a chance on Chris Taylor, who was recently designated for assignment and released by the crosstown Dodgers. To create space on the active roster, the Angels optioned infielder Kyren Paris to Triple-A Salt Lake.
To open a spot on the 40-man roster, they designated a reliever who, while somewhat promising, had proven too inconsistent for their needs. Fortunately for the Angels, he cleared waivers and remains in the organization, leaving the door open for a potential return to Anaheim later this season.
Angels reliever accepts Triple-A over free agency as new arm joins the bullpen
Shaun Anderson briefly hit free agency after all 29 other teams passed on claiming him off waivers, but he ultimately re-signed with the Angels on a minor league deal. The 30-year-old right-hander has proven he can handle innings in a swingman role, having been stretched out as a starter for Triple-A Salt Lake prior to his call-up. Though his fastball maxes out at just 94.5 mph, Anderson is gaining confidence with his deceptive kick-change, and his mix of slider and sweeper remains effective. Before his somewhat surprising DFA, he posted above-average marks in WHIP, strikeout rate, walk rate, and opponent wOBA—suggesting there’s more potential than his surface numbers indicate.
The Angels’ bullpen has been a patchwork operation for much of the season. Despite recently holding their own against the potent Yankees lineup, the relief corps still inspires little confidence among fans. Kenley Jansen has been a steady presence, Robert Stephenson continues to shine, Ryan Zeferjahn has emerged as a pleasant surprise, and Brock Burke is pitching with renewed poise. Reid Detmers, now in a bullpen role, has also begun to turn a corner—posting a 1.13 ERA with 11 strikeouts and no home runs allowed over eight innings since May 9.
The rest of the bullpen—Connor Brogdon, Hunter Strickland, and Héctor Neris—feels like a rotating cast. Each has had solid moments, but concerns over age, durability, and inconsistency prevent them from being seen as long-term solutions. That uncertainty could open the door for someone like Anderson to re-emerge later this season.
Though he struggled during his MLB stint with a 6.30 ERA, 5.97 FIP, and 1.70 WHIP, keeping Anderson in the system is a meaningful move for the Angels, a club that desperately needs reliable bullpen depth. There may be more to his profile than the numbers suggest, and if he performs well in Salt Lake, he could earn another look.
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