Los Angeles Angels Place Closer Huston Street on DL

By Bill Pivetz | Apr 28, 2016

Mar 14, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Huston Street (16) throws in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

The Los Angeles Angels announced that they will place closer Huston Street on the 15-day disabled list, but he might be out for longer.

The Los Angeles Angels finally have things clicking on all cylinders, only one game back of first in the American League West. The offense looks good, the starting rotation is solid and the bullpen anchored things down. However, that’s all changed after the news that broke Thursday evening. The team announced that closer Huston Street will be on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique.

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After recording 40 saves last season, he kept going into this year. He has five saves with a 1.17 ERA and a 0.783 WHIP in 7.2 innings. While he only has four strikeouts, he hasn’t been known to be a strikeout pitcher, career 8.9 K/9.

If you own Huston Street, you may need to stash him for a while. He first injured his side while working out Wednesday. It was quickly reported that he had an oblique injury. The Angels staff do not have an estimated timetable for his return. He’ll be out for a minimum two weeks, but it’s likely to be longer than that.

All 89.1 percent of ESPN fantasy owners that have Street are scrambling for a replacement. I wouldn’t stress too hard because the Angels have a serviceable replacement on their roster. Joe Smith is expected to fill in for Street. He pitched in 65.1 innings last year, picking up five saves with a 3.58 ERA, 1.270 WHIP and 7.9 K/9. This season, he has one saves with a 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 3.8 K/9.

Smith isn’t much of a strikeout pitcher either, career 7.5 K/9, but he will be a good fill in for the time being. The only thing he needs to work on is limiting the base runners. His 11 hits allowed in 12 innings could scare away some potential owners, but he hasn’t allowed a run in his last five appearances.

Next: Miguel Montero on 15-day DL

Smith is owned in just six percent of leagues, so go out and get him if you need a replacement. Other available relief pitchers include Ryan Madson (67.6 percent owned), Jeanmar Gomez (55.7 percent) and Alex Colome (32.5 percent).

I expect Huston Street to be back at the beginning of June with the way he and reporters are talking. It doesn’t seem like the typical oblique strain, so he’ll be out longer than the 15 days. Hopefully you have an available DL spot or you may be making a tough roster decision.

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