Angels secure veteran bullpen arm Hunter Strickland on a minor league deal, aiming for a 2026 Opening Day roster spot.
The Los Angeles Angels have made another signing to add to their bullpen depth, signing reliever Hunter Strickland to a minor league deal, per the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
Strickland played in 19 games at the major league level last season with the Halos, all of which came in relief. In those games, Strickland was a reliable arm in an unreliable Angels pitching staff. His 3.27 ERA was a rare bright spot on an Angels staff that posted the third-worst ERA in all of baseball in 2025.
He will rejoin the Halos for 2026, albeit on a minor league deal. He is expected to be a part of the club's spring training roster and will fight for a chance to earn a spot on the major league Opening Day squad.
Strickland is an 11-year veteran, spending the last two years in Anaheim. He signed with the club in 2023 after not pitching in the majors for the entirety of the 2023 season. It wasn't his first stint, however, as he made a brief appearance for the team in the 2021 season, pitching in nine games.
The Angels have locked down a career 3.39 ERA reliever arm in an offseason that’s seen the club bring in plenty of bullpen depth. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz, right-hander Jordan Romano, right-hander Kirby Yates, and left-hander Brent Suter have joined the Halos this winter, all on one-year deals.
Strickland will provide the squad with an additional depth piece that brings nearly 500 games of experience. Despite signing a minor league deal, he is sure to be on the mound in Anaheim at some point during the 2026 season.
The Angels lost multiple key bullpen pieces this offseason, losing closer Kenley Jansen to free agency, left-handed reliever Brock Burke in a three-team trade, and right-hander Luis Garcia.
Despite the names the Halos brought in, there are still many question marks surrounding their new additions. Strickland isn’t the answer to those questions, but his addition to the organization is no doubt a positive one.
Spring training for the Angels gets underway on February 21 in Tempe, Arizona. With pitchers and catchers starting to report to camp across the MLB, Strickland’s signing comes at the perfect time. He’ll be hoping for an impressive outing in Arizona over the next month.