In a move that underscores the fragility of Major League Baseball's pitching ranks, the Angels have made significant roster changes, particularly impacting their bullpen. Roster management is always a balancing act, but the pressures of injury this season have pushed the Angels to a critical juncture, where both performance and health are under scrutiny.
Pomeranz's Fall from Grace
The most striking element of this latest reshuffling is the designation for assignment of left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who previously had the potential to be a dominant figure in the bullpen. At 37, Pomeranz's career faced injuries that sidelined him for three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024. Although he made a commendable comeback with the Cubs in 2025, posting a 2.17 ERA over nearly fifty innings, his return to a struggling Angels squad this season did not yield similar results. Through 23 1/3 innings, Pomeranz has limped along with a 5.01 ERA, compounded by alarming strikeout and walk rates—14.8% and 11.1%, respectively. Both figures reflect concerning trends that raise serious doubts about his effectiveness moving forward.
Entering DFA Limbo
As he enters DFA limbo, the complexity of his situation deepens. The Angels now face the possibility of absorbing the remainder of his $4 million salary for the 2026 season while potentially struggling to find a trade partner. Teams are unlikely to show interest given Pomeranz’s current form and his extensive injury history. He also has enough service time to refuse an outright assignment, which may force the Angels to release him outright. If that occurs, any club signing him would only be responsible for a prorated portion of the minimum league salary, effectively making him a low-cost gamble for any interested team – if there are any left.
Impact of Injuries on the Roster
What compounds the Pomeranz situation is the concurrent injury to Grayson Rodriguez, who has landed on the 15-day injured list due to low back inflammation. The Angels’ rotation has been further strained, already missing Yusei Kikuchi for nearly two months and having recently lost Jack Kochanowicz to Tommy John surgery. Compounding this, the overall performance of the rotation has left the Angels tied at the bottom of the American League standings, with a 29-43 record. While they are only 6.5 games out of a playoff spot due to the mediocrity of numerous teams, the reality is that the current state of their pitching staff severely limits their chances to turn the season around.
Kerry and Fermín: New Faces in the Spotlight
To address these injuries, the Angels have selected the contracts of right-handers Brett Kerry and José Fermín from Triple-A Salt Lake. Kerry, a fifth-round pick in 2021, has not been impressive in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, carrying a 6.89 ERA in 271 2/3 innings. While praised for his command, his arsenal—a low-90s fastball complemented by secondary pitches—has not translated well at higher levels. How the Angels plan to utilize him remains an open question. They may view him as a long relief option or potentially even a starter spot if the injuries continue to mount. The flexibility of his major league options allows for some maneuverability, but this call-up does feel more like a necessity than a calculated choice.
Potential Options for Replacement
As the Angels assess their options post-Rodriguez, the bullpen's current landscape features several other pitchers, including Walbert Ureña, Reid Detmers, Sam Aldegheri, and José Soriano, all of whom have had mixed results. Given a tight schedule with only one off-day before the July 6 deadline, the urgency to fill the rotation spot cannot be overstated. They could opt to recall George Klassen or Caden Dana from Triple-A, though their ERAs of 5.53 and 5.66, respectively, offer little to inspire confidence. Likewise, non-roster options such as Taijuan Walker and Alek Manoah present intriguing, albeit risky, alternatives that might provide more stability but come with their own uncertainties.
The Takeaway for Angels Management
If you’re tracking this Angels roster situation, it’s clear that the front office faces a critical juncture. The decision to move on from Pomeranz suggests an acknowledgment of past bets that haven’t paid off, but it also indicates a larger problem: managing an injury-plagued roster while contending for a playoff spot. The reliance on unproven talent from the minors like Kerry could exacerbate existing challenges unless they find a short-term fix. The instinct is to see this roster shake-up as a desperate push to seize a fleeting postseason opportunity; however, failure to address long-term durability and performance issues could set the Angels back even further.
As the season progresses, the crucial question looms: can the Angels weather the storm of injuries and execute a strategy that allows for both immediate and long-term growth? This may ultimately define their approach in the upcoming trade window, where an emphasis on pitching could be their best bet to remain competitive.