Opening Day 2017: Angels hope for revival of reliever Yusmeiro Petit
By Keith Rivas
With Opening Day 2017 around the corner, the Angels hope they can get some quality relief.
Opening Day 2017 is going to be a gem, as all opening days are in the word of baseball. For the Los Angeles Angels, this season will be about turning things around and getting to the playoffs.
For them, they’ll need to conquer the AL West; which will take strength and consistency on the mound.
Houston and Oakland could be the teams to watch in the division. Hopefully, however, the Angels can pull through and stand out thanks to their relief pitching.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the Angels announced that Yusmeiro Petit will be with the team to start the season.
The #Angels have told Yusmeiro Petit that he will make the opening day roster. No word on other non-roster guys.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) March 28, 2017
Per the report:
"“He’s a guy that knows his way around some tough situations coming out of the pen,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Petit. “He throws strikes. He’s got good command. The stuff is good. I think he’s going to be an important part of our bullpen.”"
Petit is obviously on the tail end of his career in the major leagues, but that hasn’t stopped the Angels from believing in him.
In 197 career games, Petit owns a 4.58 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP. Also, he has given up 89 home runs as well as 142 walks.
Last year, he saw 12 swings leave the park and 15 men reach base on four balls.
After going 74-88 in 2016, Los Angeles hopes for a more successful season. Turning the club around will take more than just offensive star power. Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are strong, proven bats, but that’s not going to get it done by itself.
Next: Dodgers Are Making Final Roster Moves
Mike Scioscia has a chance to prove that the Angels are a contending team. If he fails to do that this season, it may become time to question the relationship he has with the Angels moving forward.