Angels agree to contract with ex-Mets, Giants swingman before Opening Day

The Los Angeles Angels are looking for pitching depth before Opening Day. 

The AL West club signed Alek Manoah and swung a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for Grayson Rodriguez during the offseason, but both right-handers will start the season on the injured list. 

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Angels signed left-hander Joey Lucchesi on Tuesday to a Major League deal. Lucchesi, 33, was in camp with the San Fransico Giants but was granted his release. 

He made his debut in 2018 with the San Diego Padres and can make starts or work out of the bullpen. 

Angels sign Lucchesi for bullpen depth 

Last year was Lucchesi's first season in the Majors, where he pitched exclusively out of the bullpen, making 38 appearances with the Giants. He's not a household name, but he generated a solid 54.2% ground ball rate a season ago thanks to a hefty dose of sinkers. 

Other veteran relievers the Angels signed this offseason were Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz, Jordan Romano, and Brent Suter. 

It's an interesting collection of arms, as first-year manager Kurt Suzuki is tasked with finding whom he can trust in high-leverage situations. Perhaps Lucchesi can be one of the relied-upon lefties. 

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