NEW YORK -- Angels reliever Huston Street is back in the Majors for the first time in 11 months.
Street, who last pitched for the Angels on July 31, 2016, was activated off the 60-day disabled list on Thursday prior to the Halos' series finale against the Yankees in the Bronx. To clear a roster spot for Street, the Angels optioned Mike Morin to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Street suffered a lat strain during Spring Training and later dealt with a triceps issue that delayed his return. He made six rehab appearances between Class A Advanced Inland Empire and Salt Lake, working 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his final two outings for Salt Lake.
The 33-year-old veteran is attempting to bounce back from his injury-marred 2016 campaign, which saw him log a career-worst 6.45 ERA across 22 1/3 innings before undergoing season-ending knee surgery in August. The Angels had expected him to compete for the closer job this spring, but he'll have to earn his way back to a late-inning role, even with incumbent closer Bud Norris on the DL.
"We just want to get Huston out there at some point, get his feet on the ground, hopefully in an inning where he has room to work," manager Mike Scioscia said on Thursday. "He'll just get back acclimated to working in the big leagues. It's been a while since he's been out here. We'll evaluate his stuff and see where he is. Where he fits into our 'pen is totally going to be contingent on where he is, how his stuff is and how soon he can get where he needs to be."
Although Street ranks second among active players with 324 career saves, he doesn't expect to come back and automatically pitch the ninth.
"I'll do whatever they want me to do," Street said. "In my mind, it's all the same. Whether you pitch me in the sixth down 10 or in the ninth with a one-run lead, I'm going to make my pitches and try to put up zeros. It'll feel the exact same to me."
Worth noting
• Right-hander Matthew Shoemaker, who landed on the DL with a forearm strain last week, had hoped to slide back into the rotation on Sunday, but he's now slated to fly to Los Angeles on Friday to be re-evaluated by team physicians. Though an MRI on Saturday revealed no structural damage to his forearm, he continues to experience some symptoms in the afflicted group of muscles, according to general manager Billy Eppler.
Scioscia said that rookie Parker Bridwell would make a second start in place of Shoemaker on Sunday in Boston. Bridwell has recorded a 3.07 ERA over 14 2/3 innings in three spot starts this season.
• Norris is expected to pick up a ball this weekend for the first time since landing on the DL with inflammation in his right knee on Monday. The Angels remain hopeful that Norris will only miss the minimum 10 days before returning to the bullpen.
"He's got to get off the mound again and try to throw a little bit," Scioscia said. "We'll get more indication there, but the reports are that he feels really good."