The Angels introduced that they’ve claimed right-hander Nick Robertson off waivers from the Cardinals and left-hander Brock Burke off waivers from the Rangers. Each pitchers had been designated for task in latest days. The Halos had two vacancies on their 40-man roster and don’t must make a corresponding transfer.
Every pitcher has proven some promise in previous seasons however was struggling of late. They each acquired nudged off their respective roster spots but it surely is smart for the Angels to take fliers on them. The Halos are out of rivalry and might use the rest of the season to audition gamers for future roles, and had the open roster spots anyway.
Robertson, 26, pitched for the Dodgers and Crimson Sox in 2023. He tossed 22 1/3 innings within the majors with an unimpressive 6.04 earned run common however higher underlying numbers. He struck out 24.5% of batters confronted, gave out walks at an 8.5% clip and acquired grounders on 47.1% of balls in play. His .397 batting common on balls in play and 57.5% strand price have been each on the unfortunate facet, which is why he had a 3.88 FIP and three.76 SIERA. He additionally had a powerful 2.54 ERA in Triple-A final 12 months with an enormous 37.5% strikeout price.
The Playing cards acquired him as one of many two items they acquired again from Boston within the Tyler O’Neill commerce. He missed a couple of month of this season resulting from proper elbow irritation and has additionally been on optionally available task, solely throwing 12 1/3 innings for the Playing cards. In that point, he had a 4.38 ERA, 26.9% strikeout price and three.8% stroll price. Oddly, he carried out far worse in his 21 2/3 innings on the Triple-A degree. He had a 7.48 ERA there, together with a 20.6% strikeout price and 15.7% stroll price.
It’s not been an excellent season so St. Louis determined to maneuver on, however the Angels can see if he can discover his manner in a brand new atmosphere. Robertson could be optioned for the remainder of this 12 months and can nonetheless have one choice after that. He additionally at the moment has lower than a 12 months of service time, that means he nonetheless has a methods to go earlier than qualifying for arbitration or free company.
Burke, 28, had an incredible 2022 season. He tossed 82 1/3 innings for the Rangers that 12 months with a 1.97 ERA, 27.4% strikeout price and seven.3% stroll price. However his numbers backed up a bit final 12 months, as he logged 59 2/3 frames with a 4.37 ERA and diminished 20.8% strikeout price, although he did decrease the walks to a price of three.6%.
This 12 months, issues have been even worse, which was partially self-induced on Burke’s half. He punched a wall in frustration after a poor outing and suffered a fracture in his proper hand. Although it wasn’t his throwing hand, it nonetheless stored him on the IL for 2 months. Round that IL placement, he posted a 9.22 ERA in 13 2/3 innings and likewise spent a couple of month on optionally available task.
The outcomes have clearly been trending in a foul path and the wall-punching displays poorly on him, however he can nonetheless be optioned for the remainder of this 12 months if the Angels so select. He’ll be out of choices subsequent 12 months however could be retained through arbitration via 2026.
