Scioscia eyes workload on 'exhausted' bullpen

ANAHEIM -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia was understandably pleased with his bullpen after it turned in four scoreless innings during Saturday night's 6-5 victory over the Astros.

However, it is impossible to ignore the workload that has been placed on the relief corps this season.

"A couple guys are exhausted, let's just say it," Scioscia said. "Many guys are throwing too much, so you have to make decisions on giving guys days off, which has further thinned some of the depth you have down there."

The Angels bullpen has thrown 377 1/3 innings this season -- sixth in the American League. Dane De La Rosa, who had pitched in just 12 Major League games prior to this season, leads the unit with 56 appearances.

Scioscia declined to name any relievers who might be overworked, but said they are "absolutely" monitoring De La Rosa's workload and that the right-hander is "holding up."

"There are some guys, first of all, trying to find roles in the big leagues, define them and then having those roles stretched because of lack of performance or guys struggling or guys out," Scioscia said. "It's been difficult."