ANAHEIM ― The Angels don’t have a closer controversy on their hands. Nor do they have a designated closer.
Manager Phil Nevin attempted to clarify the apparent paradox one day after Jose Quijada converted his second consecutive save opportunity Friday at home against the Kansas City Royals, but before he blew his first save of the year Saturday.
Quijada, a left-hander, faced back-to-back righties, Matt Duffy and Bobby Witt Jr., to begin the ninth inning Friday. Tuesday in New York, Quijada faced three straight right-handed hitters ― including switch-hitter Aaron Hicks batting from his strong side.
It was an odd assignment for the left-handed member of a lefty-righty platoon, but Nevin insisted that right-hander Carlos Estevez is still part of the Angels’ closer committee.
“The way it’s worked between Q and Esty, it’s more (based on the) matchup really,” Nevin said. “I think both of them are capable closers, if you will, but if the bigger outs come in the eighth inning and it’s a lane I think Esty’s best at, I might go with him and have Q for the ninth ― and vice versa.”
Quijada and Estevez are the only members of the committee Nevin mentioned by name, in fact. When Estevez was unavailable Saturday, Nevin tabbed Quijada to pitch for the second time in as many days. The left-hander allowed five runs, turning an 8-6 lead into an 11-8 deficit.
“I just don’t think he located as well as he has,” Nevin said of Quijada. “He’s pitched a lot lately too. Q, that’s his spot. He’s been great in that spot. He’s going to be great in that spot. … Tonight just wasn’t his night.”
Quijada is now 4 for 5 converting saves. Estevez is 2 for 2. Their numbers suggest the manager has correctly prognosticated their best matchups for the most part.
The Angels’ bullpen has been reasonably effective on the whole, entering the weekend with a 3.18 ERA that ranks fourth in the American League.
“There’s several other arms down there I can use in those situations when (Quijada and Estevez) are down,” Nevin said. “I have more confidence in those guys than I did a week or two ago, sure.”
IMPERSONAL CHOICE
In another curious coincidence, Matt Thaiss caught a Tyler Anderson start for the third straight time Saturday.
Thaiss has not been designated as Anderson’s “personal catcher,” Nevin said – that was merely a matter of giving Chad Wallach a day of rest before back-to-back starts Sunday and Monday. However, a different tandem arrangement has emerged while catchers Logan O’Hoppe (shoulder) and Max Stassi (hip) are sidelined.
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“Shohei’s stuff is very complex, as far as what he does with PitchCom and all the pitches he has. It takes a while to learn it, and (Chad) Wallach had done it before,” Nevin said. “That’s why he caught (Ohtani) (Friday) night. You’ll probably see him with Shohei. Other than that, I’m not concerned with any catcher catching our starters. I think they all work well together.
ALSO
Mike Trout was presented with his 2022 Silver Slugger Award prior to the game, the ninth Silver Slugger Award of his career. … Taylor Ward got a day off and Luis Rengifo batted leadoff and played left field in his place.
UP NEXT
Angels (LHP Reid Detmers, 0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Kansas City Royals (RHP Jordan Lyles, 0-3, 3.91 ERA), Sunday, 1 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM