LOS ANGELES -- The Angels put the finishing touches on their Opening Day roster Saturday evening after wrapping their spring exhibition slate with a 4-4 tie in the Freeway Series finale against the Dodgers. While much of the roster was already in place, there were two vacancies in the bullpen, which will be filled by non-roster invitees Bud Norris and Richard Parker, the club announced.
Relief candidates Kirby Yates and Austin Adams were designated for assignment. Right-handers Jose Campos and Huston Street, left-hander Andrew Heaney and infielder Luis Valbuena were placed on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to March 30), while righty Nick Tropeano landed on the 60-day DL.
"A lot of tough decisions this spring," manager Mike Scioscia said, "but we're really comfortable that those guys are going to give us the depth we're going to need in our 'pen."
Parker, claimed off waivers from the Brewers in December, pitched his way into a roster spot this spring, posting a 0.73 ERA with 24 strikeouts through 12 1/3 innings.
"What he's done so far is very real," Scioscia said. "His ability to repeat pitches has been very impressive."
Parker ended exhibition play on a high note with each of his last 17 outs coming via strikeout, longer than any such streak in the regular season since 1974, per STATS LLC.
"It feels good to finish spring on a strong note," Parker said. "Hopefully it carries over to the season, one way or another. I'm not trying to do anything different, not trying to do anything more. Just staying with the program and keep pitching."
Norris, who split time between the Dodgers and Braves last season, signed a Minor League deal with the Angels in early February and compiled a 2.70 ERA through 13 1/3 innings this spring. He competed for a spot in the starting rotation, but will now fill a long relief role, joining Parker, Cam Bedrosian, Andrew Bailey, JC Ramirez, Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Alvarez in the seven-man bullpen.
"We're excited about the makeup in our bullpen because I think it's going to be multi-dimensional," Scioscia said. "It think we're going to have guys that will go out there and give us the functional length, not just the guys who are going to eat innings. These guys are going to give us the four to six outs to hold leads and pitch in high leverage situations. I think they fit our 'pen right now."
The starting rotation of Ricky Nolasco, who received the Opening Day nod, Matthew Shoemaker, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Jesse Chavez completes the pitching staff.
Position players include catchers Martin Maldonado and Carlos Perez, infielders C.J. Cron, Yunel Escobar, Danny Espinosa, Jefry Marte, Cliff Pennington, Jose Pujols and Andrelton Simmons and outfielders Michael Trout, Kole Calhoun, Cameron Maybin and Ben Revere.