ANAHEIM — Hunter Strickland’s contributions are going to be limited to what he can provide in the clubhouse for a while.
The veteran right-hander was diagnosed with a “significant strain” in a muscle in his shoulder, he said on Wednesday. Strickland underwent a second round of MRI exams on Wednesday.
“It doesn’t require surgery, which is the best, but it’s significant time,” Strickland said.
The Angels moved Strickland to the 60-day injured list, making him ineligible to return until September. Strickland is hoping to do just that.
Strickland, 36, pitched all of last season with the Angels. He signed a minor-league deal over the winter with the Texas Rangers, who released him in April. The Angels then signed him to a minor-league deal and he was back in the majors in May.
Strickland had a 3.27 ERA in 19 games, including a stretch of 13 straight scoreless games to start his season.
The Angels’ bullpen as a group had a 7.04 ERA on the day Strickland arrived, and it’s been 3.54 since.
Strickland’s influence obviously didn’t have that much impact, but it’s not entirely a coincidence.
“One of the things we talked about when we brought him was the veteran presence, so the experiential piece of what he brings is huge,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “So, obviously, with him still being around for a little bit, I don’t know what it’ll look like going forward, but that’ll give him the opportunity to still have the effect on the guys.”
Strickland said he’d love to stay with the team during his rehab, but he’s not sure yet what the team’s plans are.
For now, Strickland’s transfer to the 60-day injured list allowed the Angels to open a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Carson Fulmer to return to the Angels.
Fulmer, 31, joined the bullpen on Wednesday to provide multi-inning coverage. Left-hander Sam Aldegheri was optioned after he pitched two innings in a blowout loss on Tuesday night.
Fulmer had a 4.15 ERA with the Angels last season, pitching 86⅔ innings. He started eight times and pitched in relief 29 times. Fulmer signed this year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who released him. He then re-signed a minor-league deal with the Angels.
“I’m familiar here,” Fulmer said. “Obviously some of my closest friends in baseball. And it’s really nice to be back, but got a job to do as well, so lock it in here and hopefully have some fun.”
Fulmer had a 1.54 ERA in 11⅔ innings at Triple-A Salt Lake. He said he’s been throwing more fastballs this season.
NEWMAN’S EXPERIENCE
A day after he saved the Angels’ bullpen by pitching the final three innings of the blowout, infielder Kevin Newman said he was surprised he lasted that long.
“When they said three innings, in my head there was no way I’ll be able to go three innings,” Newman said on Wednesday. “But they popped some balls up.”
Newman, who had never pitched in the major leagues, threw 30 pitches and got nine outs. He gave up two home runs and two doubles.
He said his strategy was to “just throw strikes and pray they don’t keep hitting it over the fence. Thankfully got ’em to pop a few up.”
UP NEXT
Rangers (LHP Patrick Corbin, 5-7, 4.18 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz, 3-8, 5.42), Thursday, 6:38 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM