Halos' 2017 'pen to rely on multi-inning arms

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels' bullpen figures to deviate from standard configuration in 2017.
With few overpowering arms at their disposal, the Halos are instead looking to build a relief corps that features multiple pitchers with the ability to throw more than one inning. Right-handers JC Ramirez, Yusmeiro Petit and Bud Norris, who have performed well this spring, are among the contenders to fill multi-inning roles for the Angels this season.
• Spring:Info | Tickets | Schedule | Gear
"We're going to have certainly the four-out to six-out look at a lot of guys in our 'pen," manager Mike Scioscia said Saturday, following a 7-4 win over the D-backs. "How many of those guys there will be remains to be seen, but I think there will be more than one multi-inning guy in our 'pen. I don't know if we're going to have the traditional long man. I think we're going to have guys that can hopefully be effective and help you hold leads in multi-inning looks."
One of the driving forces behind the Angels' desire to stock their bullpen with versatile relievers is the question marks surrounding the health and workloads of the club's rotation. The Angels have already said ace Garrett Richards will likely be held to pitch limits and other restrictions after undergoing stem-cell therapy to repair a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who will be entering his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, is also not expected to reach the 200-inning plateau this season. Right-hander Jesse Chavez, who is expected to begin the season as the Halos' fifth starter, has not been in a regular rotation since 2015 and has never thrown more than 157 innings in a Major League season.
Having several multi-inning relievers in the bullpen would be a way for the Angels to fill the gaps on nights when their starters can't pitch deep into games.
"It's all a puzzle," Scioscia said. "You're trying to get to 27 outs. Hopefully your starters just routinely are getting you 18 of those outs, 19 of those outs, and then you can piece together the rest with whatever depth that you have. We have some guys that are going to have a chance to pitch deep into games, and some guys maybe are going to feel their way along a little bit. I just think we're going to have to have some guys in the bullpen that have the multi-inning look."

The Angels will still have tough roster decisions to make when they decide to assemble their bullpen next week. As of right now, it looks like Cam Bedrosian will start the season at closer, with Andrew Bailey serving as the setup man. José Álvarez, the only left-handed reliever left in Major League camp, is likely to earn a spot, as is Ramirez, who has been starting games but is more likely to end up in the bullpen since he's out of options.
Petit and Norris, two non-roster invitees, also appear well-positioned to make the team. A long list of candidates, including Mike Morin, Blake Parker, Kirby Yates, Deolis Guerra, Austin Adams and Jose A. Valdez, are in the mix for the final bullpen spot, though those decisions will likely come down to the wire.