The Angels have released reliever Cody Allen, per a club announcement. He had been designated for assignment on Saturday following a disappointing outing Friday evening where the righty pitched just two thirds of an inning, and gave up four runs in a 9-4 loss to the Rays.
Allen got called up by the Indians in 2012 and pitched with the club for seven seasons until they granted him free agency in October. Through his tenure in Cleveland, he was regarded as an elite closer, pitching 440 ⅔ innings with a 2.98 ERA and 149 saves.
As a free agent, he signed with the Angels on a one-year, 8.5 million dollar deal in January. Unfortunately for the Halos, Allen’s brief stint in Los Angeles has fallen way short of expectations.
Through his last 14 innings pitched since May 8, the 30-year-old has let up 10 runs and is allowing his opponents to hit for a 1.086 OPS- owning a 6.43 ERA.
Of the seven teams he’s faced in these outings, only three are over .500- the Twins, Rays, and Athletic’s.
The reliever’s downfall has come with command issues and a dip in his fastball velocity. Allen is allowing more home runs and walking more batters than he ever has in his career. With a 3.4 HR/9 rate, he shatters his career high which was previously just 1.5 in 2018. He currently holds a 7.8 BB/9 rate, another career high- his previous a 4.7 in his rookie year.
On the season, Allen owns a 6.26 ERA and a 1.913 WHIP, with a -0.2 WAR.
Angels manager Brad Ausmus commented, ”unfortunately it was one we felt we had to make for the team. He worked his tail off. He cared. He wanted to get back to where he was, but nothing was sticking,” per Sports Illustrated.
With his inefficiency on the mound lingering through the season, the Angels’ dismissal of the righty is not surprising. If he returns with another ball club this season, he’ll be paid a league minimum salary, with the Angels picking up the tab of the money he is still guaranteed.
Reminder that Allen had great success while working with Mickey Callaway as his pitching coach in Cleveland.
