On Wednesday, the Angels acquired a reliever with two big-league innings of experience.
On Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals announced a transaction in which the Los Angeles Angels received monetary considerations and Guillermo Zuñiga from the National League Central franchise.
On May 2 of the season, the right-handed bullpen pitcher made his major league debut against the Angels. In one inning of work, he struck out two batters, including Mike Trout.
On August 19, he made his second and last appearance of the season against the New York Mets. His ERA increased to 4.50 when he was roughed up for two hits and one earned run.
On February 3, Zuñiga was set aside for assignment.
The most of the 25-year-old’s professional career has been spent in the minor leagues. He played three seasons in the Dodgers organisation after joining the Braves as an international free agent in 2016 after two years in the Braves’ development system.
Though he occasionally loses control, he is a flamethrower with a fastball that approaches triple digits. After pitching 30.2 innings in Triple-A Memphis last season, he had an ERA of 7.63.
He still has a few option years left on his deal, so the Angels can freely adjust for him. That might not be necessary if he can replicate his World Baseball Classic performance.
Zuñiga reached 102 mph and struck out Team Mexico’s Alex Verdugo to secure the victory for Colombia.
Zuñiga got Nolan Arenado to ground out weakly after striking out Trout and Paul Goldschmidt with Team Colombia playing against the United States.
Pitcher Austin Warren was designated for assignment by the Angels in order to make room for Zuñiga on the 40-man roster. Right-hander Warren, 28, has a 6-0 record in 32 bullpen appearances between 2021 and 2023.
Warren was originally scheduled to be assigned by the Angels in January 2023, but he stayed with the team.
