TEMPE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Jaime Barria, who is the favorite to be the club’s fifth starter to open the season, made his Cactus League debut on Monday, allowing one run on two hits over two innings in a 4-3 victory against the Brewers at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Barria, competing with other starters in camp such as Felix Pena, Dillon Peters, Griffin Canning and Jose Suarez, gave up a leadoff homer to Cory Spangenberg but settled down from there, retiring six of the next seven batters, including all three batters he faced in the second frame.
“I felt really good,” Barria said through an interpreter. “In the first inning, I was a little shaky but I came around and felt really good. I felt good with all my pitches. I was just rusty in the first inning but in the second inning, it was back to normal.”
Barria, 22, is coming off a strong rookie season that saw him post a 3.41 ERA with 98 strikeouts, 47 walks and 17 homers allowed in 129 1/3 innings. But he worked hard this offseason to get into better shape, losing eight pounds, and is trying to incorporate a curveball this year.
Barria threw his fastball roughly 50 percent of the time last year, while mixing in his slider (36 percent) and changeup (14 percent). His two-seam fastball works more as a sinker to get grounders, but he could benefit from a new pitch to increase his strikeout rate, which was below the league average.
“I really want to work on my curveball,” Barria said. “I’m just trying to build my confidence with it, that’s the most important thing right now.”
Pena had a solid day in relief while piggybacking Barria, as he threw three scoreless innings with three strikeouts while allowing one hit. The Angels will stretch out Pena this spring to compete with Barria, but there’s a chance he could be moved to the bullpen.
"I thought Pena was good," manager Brad Ausmus said. "He kept the pitch count down. He wasn't expected to throw a third inning, but he did. His pitch count was so low we felt we needed to send him back out in terms of pitches for his next outing."
Cozart, Simmons scratched
Third baseman Zack Cozart and shortstop Andrelton Simmons were both scratched from the lineup on Monday, as Cozart is dealing with left shoulder soreness and Simmons has a tight trapezius muscle. Cozart is coming off surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder, but the injury isn’t considered serious and he’s day to day.
"Just a little soreness,” Cozart said. “I went in there today and felt it this morning and got some treatment. Honestly, the trainers said they were surprised it took this long because my volume has skyrocketed since the offseason with the swings and being out there every day. But it's definitely nothing serious. Don't want to rush it. Just take a day here and hopefully feel a lot better tomorrow."
Simmons was originally in the lineup at designated hitter because of the tightness in his trapezius muscle, but was ultimately held out as a precaution. Jarrett Parker replaced Simmons at DH, while Roberto Baldoquin started at third. Parker homered in the third inning.
"[Felt it] last at-bat yesterday on a swing," Simmons said. "Nothing major. Just felt a little tight on me and they decided to give me an extra day. I’m OK right now, but it’s Spring Training so there’s no rush. It’s really not a big deal."
Bour progressing
First baseman Justin Bour, who has been slowed by a hamstring strain, is expected to return to the lineup some time early next week, Ausmus said. Barring an unforeseen setback, Bour is expected to have plenty of time to get ready for the start of the regular season.
Up next
Lefty Andrew Heaney will make his spring debut on Tuesday, when the Angels head to Mesa to play the A’s at Hohokam Stadium at 12:05 p.m. PT. Heaney is looking to build on last season, as he was the only Angels pitcher to make 30 starts. He posted a 4.15 ERA with 180 strikeouts, 45 walks and 27 homers allowed in 180 innings.
The Angels also announced that right-hander Trevor Cahill will start on Wednesday against the Rockies, while lefty Tyler Skaggs will start Thursday against the Rangers.