The Angels designated left-handed pitcher Wade LeBlanc for assignment on Tuesday, leaving a hole in their rotation for Saturday, when they're scheduled to host the Athletics in a key AL West contest.
Angels DFA Wade LeBlanc, reportedly aren’t interested in Bartolo Colon
The Angels don’t have a starter for their game on Saturday but “aren’t hot for” the idea of acquiring an old friend.
LeBlanc, 30, made one start for an Angels squad that is trying to navigate around the losses of Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs, both of whom will miss at least the remainder of this season. LeBlanc surrendered 10 earned runs in 9⅔ innings spanning two appearances.
It would make sense for the Angels to pursue a more permanent replacement -- one such as Bartolo Colon, who has cleared waivers and can be dealt to any team. However, the team does not appear to be interested in taking on the 41-year-old right-hander's contract, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Colon will make approximately $1.75 million through the remainder of this season and is owed $11 million in 2015.
Working out a deal for Colon for lesser money would benefit the Angels in a number of ways. In addition to relying less on inexperienced pitchers such as Hector Santiago and Matt Shoemaker during the stretch run this year, Colon would solidify a rotation that won't include Skaggs at all and might be without Richards for at least part of next season.
In the more short-term future, Colon is scheduled to make his next start on Saturday, the same day the Angels have "TBA" waiting in the wings. In his last start, Colon held the first-place Dodgers to two runs in six innings.
The 17-year major league veteran owns a 3.82 ERA and is the best qualifying pitcher in the NL at limiting walks, issuing just 1.2 free passes per nine innings. But the Angels are right to be skeptical of his price tag, notes SB Nation’s Mike Bates, and might think they’re better off turning to an internal -- or, at least, less expensive -- option.
Randy Wolf is one pitcher already in the organization who could get a look. Wolf has pitched fairly well in six starts for Triple-A Salt Lake, a tough environment for hurlers. The 38-year-old left-hander owns a 4.99 ERA with 29 strikeouts and eight walks in 30⅔ Pacific Coast League innings. Wolf's last outing came on Sunday, meaning he, too, would be in line for a start this weekend.
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