Angels designate Lowe to clear room for Weaver

ANAHEIM -- As the corresponding move to clear up a spot for Jered Weaver, who was activated off the disabled list to start Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, the Angels designated veteran reliever Mark Lowe for assignment.

It's a mildly surprising decision, given that Lowe is out of options and a host of others could've been sent down to the Minor Leagues without any threat of cutting into the Angels' pitching depth, including Michael Kohn, Dane De La Rosa and Robert Coello.

In some ways, the move was a sign of how well those less-experienced arms are throwing.

Kohn, less than 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery, has posted a 2.70 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 13 1/3 innings; Coello has given up one run while striking out 18 batters and walking only one in 10 1/3 innings; and De La Rosa has already appeared in 25 games, four shy of the Major League lead, despite spending the first week of the season in the Minors.

Lowe, signed to a Minor League deal in late March, still has a live arm, but had given up 12 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings in the Majors and appeared in only four games after returning from a neck strain on May 6.

The Angels will look to trade Lowe before exposing him to waivers. And with Garrett Richards now in the bullpen and Kevin Jepsen back from the DL, the 29-year-old right-hander became the odd man out.

"There are some guys that have really added some depth there, and for us to make a move, at times you've got to pare down some good arms," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Mark has a good arm. I think it's our team and our organization re-establishing some depth. It's a good sign for us."