Needing to fill multiple holes in their injury-depleted starting rotation, the Los Angeles Angels acquired right-hander Jhoulys Chacin from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
Mark Bowman of MLB.com reported the trade, later adding the Braves will receive a minor league pitcher from the Angels in return for Chacin.
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported the Braves are receiving left-hander Adam McCreery from the Angels. The Braves announced the trade on their official Twitter account.
This season, while still early, has been a disaster so far for the Angels. They own the third-worst record in the American League at 13-19 entering play Wednesday.
Pitching has been a big part of the problems in Los Angeles. The Angels rank 23rd in starters’ ERA (4.67), 25th in innings pitched (171.2) and 29th in opponents’ OPS (.828).
Those issues have been compounded due to significant injuries in the starting rotation. Garrett Richards, who is the Angels’ No. 1 starter, will likely need Tommy John surgery that would keep him out until the middle of 2017, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Left-hander Andrew Heaney opted to rehab his UCL instead of having Tommy John surgery, but he’s on the 60-day disabled list. C.J. Wilson has been on the disabled list since spring training with a shoulder problem.
The Angels’ official depth chart only listed three starting pitchers—Jered Weaver, Hector Santiago and Nick Tropeano—before the acquisition of Chacin. The 28-year-old has struggled so far this season with a 5.40 ERA in five starts, but he does have 27 strikeouts in 26.2 innings.
Right now, the Angels just need healthy bodies to try and make it to the summer months without completely wearing down their bullpen. Chacin isn’t a difference-maker, but he at least gives manager Mike Scioscia someone to work with every fifth day.
Stats via ESPN.com.
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