Relievers Guerra, Valdez among Angels cuts
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TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels moved closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster on Monday after reassigning six players to Minor League camp, including right-handed relievers Deolis Guerra and Jose A. Valdez.
Guerra and Valdez both had stints in the Angels' bullpen in 2016, but they were outrighted off the club's 40-man roster over the offseason and had arrived at Spring Training hoping to reclaim their relief jobs. Guerra, 27, logged a 10.80 ERA over five Cactus League appearances and spent part of camp pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The 27-year-old Valdez recorded a 5.23 ERA over 10 1/3 innings this spring.
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Outfielders Eric Young Jr. and Shane Robinson, infielder Rey Navarro and catcher Tony Sanchez were also among Monday's cuts, though the six reassigned players will all travel with the club to California for the Freeway Series against the Dodgers this weekend. The Angels now have 34 active players in Major League camp, though they will have to trim that number to 25 before they play their season opener against the A's on April 3 in Oakland.
Manager Mike Scioscia said the Angels' coaching staff had a meeting following Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Royals to discuss possible roster configurations.
"I think we narrowed a lot of things down significantly," Scioscia said.
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Though the Angels appear pretty much set on which position players will make the squad, some questions remain about the assemblage of the pitching staff, specifically the bullpen. Cam Bedrosian, Andrew Bailey, JC Ramirez, Bud Norris, Yusmeiro Petit and José Álvarez all seem likely to make the team as relievers, leaving one open spot that could be filled by Blake Parker, Mike Morin, Kirby Yates or Austin Adams.
Parker, who was claimed off waivers from the Brewers in December, has made a strong push after posting a 0.96 ERA with 15 strikeouts over 9 1/3 Cactus League innings. The 31-year-old is in camp on a Minor League deal and would have to be added to the 40-man roster if he makes the team.