OC Register: Angels send down Jaime Barria despite strong outing

[AngelsWin.com]

ANAHEIM — Jaime Barria’s reward for pitching seven brilliant innings against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night was a trip back to the minor leagues.

The Angels optioned Barría on Wednesday because they have an off day on Monday and don’t need six starters for the next turn through the rotation. Barría could be back to start as soon as May 26 in New York.

“It’s tough,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I don’t think anyone, when they are performing well, expects (to go down). There’s a difference between getting to the big leagues and making some footprints. Right now Jaime is starting to make some footprints, but he’s not quite there. I think there’s a lot of things that are out of his control.”

If Barría remained in the rotation, the other five starters would all take their next turns on six days rest, two more than normal. Although Shohei Ohtani has been making all his starts on at least six days rest, the other starters prefer to go with four or five.

“These guys have all been well-rested and bouncing back well,” Scioscia said. “We want to get a little continuity.”

Also, Scioscia said the move helps them control the innings for Barría, a 21-year-old who threw 141-2/3 innings last year.

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While Barría is down, the Angels can have an extra reliever. They recalled Eduardo Paredes on Wednesday. Blake Wood (elbow impingement) could replace Paredes as soon as Friday, following one last rehab outing on Thursday at Inland Empire.

TROUT AT THE TOP

Mike Trout remained in the leadoff spot for a second straight game, even with Zack Cozart back in the lineup, and Scioscia said they will stick with this, at least in the short term.

He said eventually Trout will go back to the No. 2 or even No. 3 spot, once they get Cozart or Ian Kinsler hitting well enough to be at the top. The downside of having Trout bat first is that it reduces his chances to drive in runs.

“For the short term, when you’re trying to get some guys in the swing and they are hitting lower in the lineup, we are not taking away what Mike’s impact will be,” Scioscia said. “Whether he’s hitting first or second for stretches is not going to impact it that much.”

It’s also unclear how the lineup will look without Shohei Ohtani, who was hitting second for the second straight game. Ohtani will not be in the lineup on Saturday or Sunday, as he prepares to start on the mound Sunday.

ALSO

The Chargers had all seven of their draft picks out at Angel Stadium for the pregame on Wednesday. They played some catch in the outfield and posed for photos with a few Angels players and coaches.

UP NEXT

Angels (Tyler Skaggs, 3-2, 3.07) vs. Rays (Chris Archer, 2-3, 5.64), Thursday, 7 p.m., Fox Sports West, KLAA (830 AM)

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