Examining the Angels' options for the No. 5 starter

TEMPE, Ariz. -- With less than three weeks until Opening Day on March 27, the competition for the final spot in the Angels' rotation is starting to heat up.

Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz and left-hander Reid Detmers are the top two candidates for that role, but righty Chase Silseth is trying to pitch his way into the mix, while lefty José Suarez is having a strong spring. There¡¯s also a chance Silseth could be moved into a relief role, while Suarez¡¯s most likely role will be as the club¡¯s long reliever.

Kochanowicz, Detmers and Silseth all have Minor League options, while Suarez is out of options. Prospects Caden Dana (No. 2), George Klassen (No. 3) and Sam Aldegheri (No. 5) are also getting looks this spring, although they¡¯re all expected to open the year in the Minors.

Angels manager Ron Washington said it¡¯s now deep enough into spring to start really evaluating the starting pitchers¡¯ performances, but noted that nobody has separated themselves just yet. So it¡¯s still up in the air on who will follow Yusei Kikuchi, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Hendricks and Jos¨¦ Soriano in the rotation.

¡°Going through this rotation, we'll start really zeroing in on where we are and where we want to go, but we¡¯re still not there yet,¡± Washington said. ¡°So everybody is still competing.¡±

RHP Jack Kochanowicz
2024 stats: 3.99 ERA, 65 1/3 IP, 25 K, 10 BB
Spring Training stats: 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 4 K, 1 BB

Kochanowicz dealt with an illness early this spring, so he¡¯s made one fewer appearance than most of the other pitchers, but he threw in a simulated game last week and looked solid against a Guardians lineup full of regulars on Tuesday. He¡¯s working on integrating his four-seam fastball more this season, especially up in the zone, to pair it with his highly effective sinker that averages nearly 96 mph. The 24-year-old¡¯s strikeout rate was lower than he wanted last season, but he has pinpoint control and the Angels believe more strikeouts will come with time.

LHP Reid Detmers
2024 stats: 6.70 ERA, 87 1/3 IP, 109 K, 38 BB
Spring Training stats: 3.52 ERA, 7 2/3 IP, 4 K, 2 BB

Detmers had a rollercoaster season in ¡¯24, but still possesses elite stuff and has shown flashes of his potential -- most notably his rookie season (2022) when he threw a no-hitter. Detmers, 25, was humbled by his stint at Triple-A Salt Lake last year and said he worked to address both the mental and physical sides of pitching this offseason. He still gets plenty of swing-and-miss but needs to improve his command. He¡¯s pitched well this spring, but it¡¯s too close to call on who the Angels will decide for the final spot in the rotation.

RHP Chase Silseth
2024 stats: 6.75 ERA, 8 IP, 12 K, 4 BB
Spring Training stats: 9.95 ERA, 6 1/3 IP, 9 K, 4 BB

Silseth has had a rocky spring, but he showed what he could do against the Dodgers on Feb. 28, striking out six over 2 2/3 innings. But he faced them again on Wednesday and surrendered three runs over 2 1/3 innings, with two strikeouts and two walks. The 24-year-old dealt with a right elbow injury last year that kept him out of action for two months, but he had a 3.96 ERA in 52 1/3 innings in ¡¯23. He worked with a mental skills coach this offseason and believes it¡¯ll help him going forward. He also said he¡¯d be open to a role in relief if he doesn¡¯t crack the starting rotation.

LHP José Suarez
2024 stats: 6.02 ERA, 52 1/3 IP, 56 K, 27 BB
Spring Training stats: 2.57 ERA, 7 IP, 9 K, 1 BB

Suarez has undoubtedly struggled the last two seasons, but he pitched better down the stretch last year after he was designated for assignment in mid-June, which served as a wakeup call. He also came into camp 20 pounds lighter this spring and has looked sharp on the mound, including striking out six in three innings against the Mariners on Thursday night. He had a combined 3.86 ERA in 207 1/3 innings from 2021-22, so he's had success in the past and is still just 27 years old. He¡¯s likely to be the club¡¯s long reliever but will remain stretched out as a starter this spring.