The Angels announced that right-hander Hunter Strickland and utilityman Chris Taylor have been released. Taylor was known to be on the way out after he opted out of his minor league deal with the team yesterday, and Strickland may well be in the same situation as another veteran player in camp as a non-roster invite.
Strickland was making a good case for himself by posting a 1.80 ERA over five innings in Cactus League ball this spring, but it apparently wasn’t enough for the 37-year-old to land a spot in the Los Angeles bullpen. This release marks the end of what is technically Strickland’s fourth different stint with the Angels, and this familiarity could perhaps hint at another contract in the near future.
Because Strickland’s first opt-out date fell this weekend and the Angels had to make a decision, this release could be a way of navigating that deadline and getting the righty back in the organization on another minors deal soon. It would depend on how comfortable Strickland feels with the Angels, if he perhaps has gotten assurances he’ll be called up to the majors in short order, or if he can perhaps find another opportunity elsewhere.
Over 95 1/3 innings with the 2024-25 Angels, Strickland has posted a 3.30 ERA, though his 18.4% strikeout rate and 8.8% walk rate are nothing special. These secondary metrics and Strickland’s age perhaps limited him to non-guaranteed offers this winter, and it didn’t help that he missed a big chunk of the 2025 campaign with a shoulder injury. He has looked healthy this spring, and his solid numbers in camp may draw some attention from another team if he indeed doesn’t end up back in Anaheim.
Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, Jordan Romano, and Brent Suter will all be part of the Angels’ bullpen, as the team loaded up on other veteran relievers on one-year contracts. The rest of the relief corps is a little uncertain, as much hinges on the health of rotation candidates Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah. Jack Kochanowicz and Ryan Johnson will be on the 26-man roster in some capacity, either in the pen or as starters if either of Rodriguez or Manoah begin the season on the 15-day injured list. Walbert Urena is also on the radar for a starting or relief role, adding to the Halos’ decisions heading into Opening Day.
Noooooo! We should totally have this guy in our pen!
silseth, bachman, zeferjahn over him plus fermin/sandridge on hand as depth, some of the rotation arms will be moving to the pen this year (mederos; out of options in ‘27) . since the bullpen is gonna reset next year, we actually need to find enough playing time to audition those guys
Probably released because he’s a slacker!
Think Hill Valley High School will take him back?
McFly!
Hunter should take a flyer and see if the Phillies need bullpen help. Maybe being together with his best friend Bryce “Awesome-O” Harper will get his focus and command back.
Bryce Harper has entered the chat.
He can focus on his propane business now
Old top!
Strickland Propane.
2026 Spring Training:
5 games
5 innings pitched
1.80 ERA
1.00 WHIPP
Not good enough?
Something personal or something else?
@alexpulido7051 2. They will probably bring him back. They normally do.
Not even Angels could save this team.
Should Nats sign him again?
Surprised given how he pitched this spring and the fact he seems to always land in our bullpen.
@halosheavenjj. Have a feeling Romano will be DFA’D and Strickland will take his spot a month in the season.
I’m guessing they invited him knowing he had talent and then once in camp decided he didn’t have the right mindset of a team player. That’s the only reason I can rationize a lot of these minor league signings except I think a lot of the players do it to ensure live at bats before sitting on the bench all year. As a Cardinals fan I think I have seen Pozo in the starting lineup more times and getting 4 at bats more than I thought was conceivably possible. I mean he’s not horrible, but he doesn’t have any discipline and is no whiz behind the dish defensively.
Bottom dwelling teams seem adverse to vets performing well in spring training.
Not sure what the point is in inviting veteran pitchers to camp if they aren’t going to make the team in the first place, regardless how well they perform.
Bottom dwelling teams are not good at evaluating talent.
From the owners to the execs to the field.
Manoah deal garbage
Rodriguez deal blew up
Taylor can’t hit and has not hit in three seasons
Yet you get rid of a guy with a 1.80 era this spring.
Perry I know your a total idiot but please don’t justify it
The quest for 110 loss season is rolling down the track
@soccer_ref. Slow down nostradamas.the season hasn’t even started yet.
The season has not started but sadly it’s already over
Hopefully this means Maddux is happy with the other pieces.
I’ve only been able to see a handful of games like everyone else, so it’s hard to have an opinion on this move.
Sell the damn team Artie!
Not sure what more Strickland could’ve done to make the roster. Hopefully, they can resign him.
White Sox or Colorado pickup
I can’t believe the Angels just got better by making this move.
Wait, what? They get rid of somebody who can actually pitch and keep Romano?
Romano has pitched 5 games, 5 ings with Zero runs. Striking out 4 with no walks and 2 hits. He made the team with his guaranteed contract.
The coaching staff likes Urena’s upside more than Strickland’s knowable mediocrity.
Looking at the big picture It really doesn’t matter who is in the bullpen. Halo’s going to have a hard time scoring runs. They will lead the west and perhaps all of baseball in fewest runs scored. SELL THE TEAM ARTIE!!!
Finally
Someone who is looking at the hitting rather than pitching. I said a while back. You could have Eckersley Hoffmann Lee Smith. Rivera goose gossage and Percival in this pen and it won’t matter. If this team gives up 3 runs game over
Andrew Chaffin is available
The team trash