Washington sizes up Angels' remaining roster battles?

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Angels’ potential Opening Day roster is coming more into focus after a pair of roster moves, as they acquired reliever Angel Perdomo in a trade with the Braves late Monday and optioned right-hander Chase Silseth to Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

With Silseth starting the year in the Minors, it means the fifth starter competition is down to right-hander Jack Kochanowicz and lefty Reid Detmers. But there also remains a chance that either one of them could head to the bullpen if they don’t claim that final spot in the rotation. Both have pitched well this spring, as Detmers has a 2.30 ERA in 15 2/3 innings and Kochanowicz has a 2.92 ERA in 12 1/3 innings, so the race is too close to call.

“It’s on the table but we haven’t made that decision,” manager Ron Washington said. “Right now, we haven't decided who will get the fifth spot, so it's still a competition.”

Silseth had a strong showing against the Dodgers, striking out six in 2 2/3 innings on Feb. 28, but otherwise had a rough spring with a 10.38 ERA in 13 frames. He walked five and gave up five runs on Monday and said he believes he’s been overthinking things while trying to regain his footing.

He missed most of last season because of elbow issues and is trying to find the consistency he had in 2023, when he had a 3.34 ERA in six starts before being hit in the head by an errant throw, causing him to miss a month late in the season. He’ll remain stretched out as a starter to give the Angels depth.

“He needs to pitch,” Washington said. “We certainly don't want to put him in a position where he may not have a chance to succeed. When he's on the mound, you can see the competitive juices flowing, but he needs to pitch so he can get that awareness and he can get that presence.”

The addition of Perdomo in a trade for cash or a player to be named later also impacts the bullpen, as he’s out of Minor League options, so he’s likely to make the roster. The 6-foot-8 lefty missed last season after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he’s healthy and has allowed two runs over 8 1/3 innings this spring.

“From what I've seen in the past, the kid’s got a good arm,” Washington said. “He's always had a few issues trying to keep it in the strike zone, but hopefully, over the years, he's honed in on that.”

With Perdomo now in the mix, he’s expected to join a bullpen that includes closer Kenley Jansen, Ben Joyce, Brock Burke, Ryan Zeferjahn, José Quijada and José Suarez. Suarez scuffled in a recent start but is still likely to be the long reliever.

It leaves one spot open, and the Angels will have to decide whether they want to keep Rule 5 lefty Garrett McDaniels or have either Detmers or Kochanowicz in the bullpen. McDaniels has pitched well this spring, with a 1.29 ERA in seven innings, but he has to stay on the active roster all season or be offered back to the Dodgers.

The Angels also designated utilityman Scott Kingery for assignment to make room for Perdomo, and he was a candidate for a bench spot. The Angels are still unsure if starting third baseman Yoán Moncada will be ready for Opening Day but there is some optimism he’ll be fine for the regular season opener on March 27. If he starts the year on the injured list, however, Luis Rengifo would move over to third and Tim Anderson would likely start at second base.

Anderson was signed to a Minor League deal and seems likely to make the club, even if Moncada is ready for the opener. J.D. Davis is in a similar situation as a non-roster invitee and is in a competition with Ryan Noda for the final bench spot. Youngsters Christian Moore and Kyren Paris remain in camp and had big days offensively on Monday, but they appear more likely to open in the Minors. Paris, though, could be an option if Moncada isn’t ready to go.

Washington said he’s just pleased the Angels’ depth is better than last year, making the decisions more difficult.

“It’s something we haven't had in the two years I've been here,” Washington said. “So it's certainly something that you enjoy being a part of, knowing that whatever decisions you make, you're gonna get out of here with the best you have.”