Angels Add Rotation Depth, Sign Pitcher Zach Plesac to Contract

The Halos add more pitching depth to the mix.

The Los Angeles Angels have signed pitcher Zach Plesac. Although technically a minor league free agent, the 28-year-old right-hander received a major league contract according to Robert Murray of FanSided.

Murray was the first to break the news of the agreement.

Free-agent pitcher Zach Plesac and the Los Angeles Angels are close to an agreement, according to sources familiar with the situation.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 31, 2023

Plesac has spent his entire career with the Cleveland Guardians and now heads over to help bolster the depth with the Angels. He only appeared in five games for the Guardians last season, posting an ERA of 7.59. 

The veteran spent most of the season in Triple-A, posting an ERA of 6.08 in 19 games.

Angels have a deal done with Zach Plesac @ByRobertMurray 1st said “close”

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 31, 2023

His first two seasons in the big leagues were promising. Plesac posted an ERA of 3.81 across 21 starts in 2019 as a rookie. He followed that up with a strong season in 2020, with a 2.28 ERA in eight starts during the COVID-19-shortened season. 

A series of injuries over the next seasons derailed Plesac's early signs of greatness. The right-hander could give the Angels more options within their major league rotation, but it's still a risk considering how Plesac's tenure ended in Cleveland. 

In Sept. 2022, the New York Post reported that Plesac's former agency severed ties with him following a series of self-inflicted hand injuries. As Plesac's on-field performance spiraled too, the Guardians eventually decided they had seen enough. He was designated for assignment in June.

Against that background, the Angels' contract with Plesac looks like a depth addition for either their rotation or their bullpen. Although Plesac has been used as a starter in his major and minor league career, he might need to earn that role by pitching well in relief as part of his second chance. 

The Angels' rotation currently includes left-handers Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, and Tyler Anderson, right-hander Griffin Canning and Chase Silseth. The Angels may look to continue adding to the mix as well.