The Angels designated right-hander Jason Bulger for assignment, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times (on Twitter). The Halos optioned Matt Palmer to Triple-A, and activated Joel Pineiro and Scott Downs from the disabled list in corresponding moves.
Bulger, 32, has a sparkling 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings this year. However, he has walked more batters (10) than he has struck out (7). Opponents have hit just .167 on balls in play and Bulger's 7.54 FIP and 6.14 xFIP suggest his ERA should probably be 5-6 runs higher than it is.
Bulger has a 4.33 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 133 career innings, all but 10 of them with the Angels. The seven-year veteran has pitched in manager Mike Scioscia's bullpen every year since 2006.
I bet the Pirates will get him, too.
The Pirates will pick up anyone!
The Pirates will pick up anyone!
He’s gonna clear waivers
Scott Downs back in business!
Can either Pinerio or Downs hit?
Seattle should jump on him. He is better than half the crap we been throwing out.
I agree with Bob, M’s should pick him up
Dbacks should get him back.
No, they really shouldn’t.
Too bad. Bulger sure showed flashes of promise and dominance. Walks just killed him.
C’mon Braves. He’s better than Linebrink and/or Sherrill.
No way he clears waivers. He will be successful somewhere. He has got great movement on almost all his pitches just needs a little more control and confidence. The next Darren O’Day. Won’t close games, but great reliever.
Ya the next Darren O’Day…Except for the fact that Bulger has been in the league 4 years LONGER than O’Day. Bulger isn’t some promising young pitcher. He is what he is and has been for his entire 7 year career.
The Pirates have been (and are probably still) carrying some dead weight on this year’s roster, and they are taking some gradual steps (through the waiver wire) to improve upon those weaknesses. One place, however, that they appear to be solid is with their right hand relief staff with Veras, Resop, Meek, and Hanrahan. I don’t see the Pirates making a waiver claim on Bulger.