The Los Angeles Angels are continuing their search for bullpen help after quietly signing former Detroit Tigers first-round pick Alex Faedo to a minor league contract.
The Angels’ relief unit has struggled badly throughout the 2026 season, ranking near the bottom of Major League Baseball in several key pitching categories, including ERA, FIP and overall WAR. With few dependable options emerging from the bullpen, the organization has begun taking low-risk chances on experienced arms in hopes of finding stability.
Faedo, selected in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft, brings valuable big-league experience despite an inconsistent career. Across three seasons with the Tigers, the 30-year-old right-hander logged more than 175 innings while working both as a starter and reliever.
He is expected to report to Triple-A Salt Lake, where the Angels will evaluate whether he can eventually contribute at the major league level.
The move follows recent additions such as Taijuan Walker and Rob Kaminsky as the Angels attempt to patch together pitching depth. Unlike Walker, who has primarily served as a starter, Faedo offers flexibility after transitioning into more relief work during his final season in Detroit.
While his career 4.51 ERA does not immediately stand out, Faedo has shown flashes of promise. During the 2024 season, he generated strong swing-and-miss numbers and effectively limited hard contact, with his slider grading as one of baseball’s more effective breaking pitches by run value metrics.
Still, there are concerns surrounding the veteran pitcher. Shoulder injuries limited him in 2025, and home runs have consistently been an issue throughout his career. Those factors likely contributed to his availability on a minor league deal.
For the Angels, however, the signing represents another gamble worth taking. Outside of breakout reliever Sam Bachman, the bullpen has struggled to produce reliable late-inning performances, forcing the team to search for answers wherever possible.
Faedo has yet to pitch during the 2026 season, so he will first need to prove he is healthy and effective in Triple-A before earning another opportunity in the majors. But given the Angels’ pitching problems, a strong showing in the minors could quickly put him back on the big-league radar.
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