New reliever Estévez emerging as clubhouse leader

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Despite being new to the Angels after signing a two-year, $13.5 million deal in early December, veteran reliever Carlos Estévez has already established himself as a leader and a mentor to the club’s younger pitchers.

Estévez is often seen giving advice to younger relievers such as Jose Marte, José Quijada and José Soriano, but he also likes to keep it loose and joke with his teammates. He said he learned to be a clubhouse leader over time during his six seasons with the Rockies and is happy to pass on any knowledge.

“Everyone is embracing me here despite being the new kid in school,” Estévez said with a smile. “But that’s how I was raised, to help others. I was a young guy once and didn’t know a lot, and I got taught. So it’s important to impart my knowledge and help these guys, and hopefully they do it with the next ones, too.”

Estévez has already impressed manager Phil Nevin with the way he carries himself, and Nevin believes he’s a perfect fit for the clubhouse. Estévez headlines an underrated bullpen for the Angels that is expected to feature new addition Matt Moore, Jimmy Herget, Ryan Tepera, Aaron Loup and Quijada.

Jaime Barría could also be in that mix as a long reliever if he doesn't win a starting spot, while others competing for a spot include Andrew Wantz, Zack Weiss, Justin Garza, Kolton Ingram, prospect Ben Joyce and non-roster invitees Chris Devenski, Jonathan Holder, Jacob Webb and Austin Warren.

“Estévez has been such a leader for those bullpen guys already,” Nevin said. “It’s been amazing to watch. He’s just a tremendous guy. He's tough. He wants to win. And he came here for that purpose. You see the conversations he has after he gets off the mound. Marte, it stands out. His eyes light up when he talks to him and he’s really improved. He just makes the people around him better.”

Estévez has a 4.59 ERA in six seasons with the Rockies, including a 3.47 ERA with 54 strikeouts and 23 walks in 57 innings last year. But Estévez and the Halos believe his stuff will play up this season, as he’ll no longer have to deal with pitching in the high altitude at Coors Field.

“It was always tough to come back to Denver after being on the road,” Estévez said. “My stuff wouldn’t be moving as much again. It feels good to not have worry about it. Now I can focus on more things because when I work on my stuff, it’s always going to be in the same environment.”

With 25 career saves under his belt, including 11 in 2021, Estévez is the front-runner to be the closer. But Nevin said Estévez will have to earn that role, and he’s fine mixing and matching at closer like he did last season after losing Raisel Iglesias to the Braves at the Trade Deadline.

“If you have somebody emerge as a ninth-inning lockdown guy, which I certainly think Carlos has that in him, then sure, it's a nice luxury to have,” Nevin said. “But you saw how I worked the ‘pen last year. Kind of mixed and matched. So it’s a thought. He’s capable of it. He hasn’t done it over a long-term consistent basis, but we’re going to take the best, and if the best is Carlos in that role, then that’s what we’ll go with.”

Angels tidbits

• Former Angels slugger Albert Pujols arrived at camp on Tuesday to be a guest instructor this week. Pujols, who retired at the end of last season after becoming the fourth player to reach 700 career homers, is starting his new role with the Halos, fulfilling his 10-year personal services contract he signed as part of his previous deal with the club. Pujols is expected to address the media Wednesday.

• The Angels had a light workout day on Tuesday, as morning rain forced them to push back their live bullpen sessions. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to pitch after hitting on Monday, but he will now face hitters on Wednesday. He remains on track to start on March 1 before departing for Tokyo to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

• Lefty Tucker Davidson is scheduled to start the Cactus League opener on Saturday against the Mariners in Peoria. He’s scheduled to throw two innings, Nevin said.