Frieri climbs back in saddle against D-backs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Ernesto Frieri officially rejoined the Angels on Monday, three days after his wife gave birth to the couple's second daughter, Veronica, in Phoenix.

Pitching the fourth inning against the D-backs at Salt River Fields, the 28-year-old closer -- who posted a 3.80 ERA and converted 37 of 41 save chances in 2013 -- pitched a 1-2-3 inning, getting a lineout, a groundout and a flyout.

"I'm very grateful to the Angels -- [manager] Mike Scioscia, [pitching coach Mike] Butcher -- because they gave me the opportunity to take care of my family stuff," Frieri said in Spanish. "Now everything is squared away, and I'm just happy to be able to come back here again, and get back on the same page I was on. We're doing a lot of good work over here. Spring Training has been very good. I'm happy I'm pitching again."