Looking to boost their bullpen, the Angels have traded for right-hander Ernesto Frieri from the Padres in exchange for two minor-leaguers.The 26-year-old Frieri is 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 11 games this season, striking out 18 batters in 11 2/3 innings, while walking four.
So far this season, the Angels' bullpen has accumulated six losses and no wins. While the Angels starters have a 3.30 ERA on the season, the bullpen is at 5.08 and a WHIP of 1.500. Jordan Walden has recently been removed from his closer duties and right-hander Kevin Jepsen has allowed more runs (9) than he's had innings pitched (7). Left-hander Hisanori Takahashi has allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings.
To get Frieri, the Angels sent infielder Alexi Amarista and right-hander Donn Roach to San Diego. Amarista had a cup of coffee for the Angels last season and appeared in one game this season. At Triple-A Salt Lake, the left-handed batter was hitting .273/.289/.403 with no home runs and 12 driven in.
Roach, 22, is 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA at high-Class A Inland Empire, striking out 29 and walking one in 41 2/3 innings. He was a third-round pick in the 2010 draft out of Arizona. He's 14-6 with a 3.97 ERA in parts of three minor-league seasons.
The Padres are at 24 men on the 25-man roster and are expected to make a move before Friday's game with the Marlins.
