Strickland Back with Angels on Minors Deal

Hunter Strickland, a veteran right-handed pitcher, is returning to the Los Angeles Angels on a minor league contract. This move brings a familiar face back to the clubhouse, as Strickland previously threw 22 innings for the Angels in 2025 before a shoulder injury sidelined him. His career, marked by ups and downs, includes a debut with the 2014 World Series champion San Francisco Giants. He was a key reliever for them over four seasons.

Strickland earned a second championship ring in 2019 with the Washington Nationals, acquired midseason from the Seattle Mariners. Since then, he has played for five different teams, with the Angels being a recurring one. He posted a 3.31 ERA in a career-high 73.1 innings for Anaheim two seasons ago, and the Angels are hopeful for similar performance, noting his success against opposing batters. A notable past incident involved Strickland hitting Bryce Harper with a pitch in 2017, leading to a notable on-field altercation.