Ryan Madson was hoping to finally join the Angels’ bullpen this weekend. But that will not be happening.
According to beat writer Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, the right-hander is going to spend “several weeks” on a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Salt Lake before being cleared to pitch in the major leagues. Madson thinks he’s ready right now, but he has experienced multiple setbacks in his nearly 14-month recovery from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and the Angels want to play this cautiously.
“I can pitch here today and get people out,” Madson told reporters Wednesday evening. “That’s just how I feel.”
The 32-year-old inked a one-year, $3.5 million free agent contract with the Halos this past winter. He was expected to open the season as their closer, but Ernesto Frieri is currently running away with that job.