TORONTO -- Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit pitched four strong innings in a spot start for the Angels on Saturday, but it remains to be seen if his next outing will come as a starter or as a reliever.
Petit, pressed into his first start of the season following the injury to Alex Meyer, held the Blue Jays to one unearned run on three hits while walking none and striking out five in the 48-pitch effort and earned a no-decision after the Angels rallied for a 6-5 win at Rogers Centre.
"I think he went right after those guys," manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday. "Striking out his share of guys and throwing only [48] pitches in the four innings, it really made him effective. On a given day, he might have had a little more in him, but it's tough to get a guy from 30 pitches up to the 60-65 mark. That's a great outing from Y."
The Angels have not yet decided if Petit will get another start, as they want to wait and see if Meyer will be able to come back quickly, though he has yet to pick up a ball since landing on the disabled list last week with right shoulder inflammation. Another factor will be the impending return of left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who is slated to make his fourth and potentially final rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.
It's also possible that Petit's next appearance could be for another club. According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Halos have received calls inquiring about the 32-year-old veteran, who has logged a 2.52 ERA over 60 2/3 innings this season, and are open to moving him before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. Fellow right-handers Bud Norris and David Hernandez have also garnered outside interest and are potential trade chips for the Angels.
"I'm not thinking about it too much," Norris said Saturday. "I'm enjoying every day, coming to the ballpark, hanging out with the bullpen guys. I just want to stay in this uniform, and whatever is meant to be will be. I just want to continue to pitch and pitch well."
Scioscia also said that he isn't going to concern himself with trade talk. The Angels entered Sunday 4 1/2 games behind the Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot, and Scioscia said the team will remain intent on chasing a postseason berth regardless of what happens on Monday.
"Our goal won't change," Scioscia said. "Our goal is going to be what it's going to be. I'm not going to speculate on any situations on who's coming and who's going because it's not my focus."