Angels Acquire LHP Brad Mills from Toronto

ANAHEIM, CA – The Angels Saturday announced the club has acquired left-handed pitcher Brad Mills from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for catcher Jeff Mathis. Today’s announcement was made by General Manager Jerry Dipoto.

Mills, 26, spent time at triple-A Las Vegas and Toronto in 2011. With the 51s, he started a team-high 24 games posting an 11-9 record with one complete game and a 4.00 ERA in a teamleading 157.1 IP (70 ER). Mills also paced the team with 136 strikeouts while walking just 39. With the Jays, the lefty made five appearances (four starts) going 1-2 with a 9.82 ERA (18.1 IP – 20 ER). 2011 marked his third stint up with the big league club as he made nine appearances (five starts) from 2009-10 (1-1; 7.80 ERA) as well. In his minor league career, he is 36-28 with two complete games, a 3.57 ERA (519.1 IP – 206 ER), 175 walks and 488 strikeouts in 91 games (87 starts).

The Mesa, AZ native was drafted by Toronto in the fourth round of the 2007 draft out of the University of Arizona. The 6 ft., 185-pound Mills attended Mountain View High School in Mesa and was originally drafted by the Jays in the 22nd round but did not sign.

Mathis, 28, appeared regularly with the Angels since 2007 after being drafted in the first round (33rd overall) out of Marianna H.S. (FL) in the 2001 free agent draft. In 93 games with the Angels in 2011, he batted .174 (43/247) with 12 doubles, three home runs and 22 RBI in 93 games. He made a team-high 79 starts behind the plate and appeared in 91 games at the position. Mathis ranked T1st among A.L. catchers with a career-best .995 fielding pct. (3 E in 568 TC).

In his career, Mathis appeared in 426 games batting .194 (233/1201) with 48 doubles, one triple, 26 home runs and 139 RBI. He owns a career fielding pct. of .987 and has thrown out 24% of base stealers.