Angels Add Alex Faedo on Minor Deal as Bullpen Struggles Persist in 2025

The Los Angeles Angels have taken a low-risk step toward addressing their pitching depth by signing right-handed reliever Alex Faedo to a minor league contract. The move, completed on May 21, reflects the organization’s continued search for stability in a bullpen that has struggled throughout the season.

Faedo has been assigned to the club’s Arizona Complex League facility, where he will work to regain game readiness before a potential promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake. The assignment gives the Angels a structured environment to evaluate his progress before considering a major league return.

The addition comes at a time when the Angels’ relief corps has been one of the least effective units in the American League. With inconsistency and control issues affecting performance, the front office has been exploring multiple depth options.

For Faedo, the opportunity represents another step in a career marked by both promise and setbacks, including injuries and role changes across multiple organizations.

1. Early Career and Prospect Expectations

Faedo entered professional baseball as a highly regarded prospect after being selected 18th overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2017 MLB Draft. His development path was carefully managed early on, delaying his professional debut until 2018 as part of workload control following his college career at Florida. Once he reached the minors, Faedo moved steadily through the system, splitting time between High-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie in his first full season. He posted a 5–10 record with a 4.02 ERA, gaining experience across 24 starts. In 2019, he showed improvement, finishing with a 3.90 ERA and 134 strikeouts over 115 1/3 innings, signaling growth as a rotation prospect. However, his momentum was interrupted by the canceled 2020 minor league season and subsequent injury setbacks. That December, Faedo underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2021 season and significantly altering his developmental timeline.

2. MLB Arrival and Role Changes

Faedo eventually returned to action in 2022, beginning with a brief rehab stint before advancing through Triple-A Toledo and earning his first major league opportunity. He debuted on May 4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing two earned runs over five innings in a composed first outing. He recorded his first MLB win later that month against the Cleveland Guardians, offering early signs of potential as a controllable arm in Detroit’s pitching mix. His role, however, fluctuated as the Tigers evaluated his long-term fit. In 2023, Faedo appeared in 15 games, including 12 starts, finishing with a 2–5 record and a 4.45 ERA. The following season, he transitioned primarily to a bullpen role, where he posted a 3.61 ERA across 57 1/3 innings while striking out 55 batters in 37 appearances. That shift suggested a potential long-term future as a multi-inning reliever rather than a permanent rotation piece, particularly as his workload increased following injury recovery.

3. Recent Transactions and Angels’ Bullpen Needs

Faedo’s recent career has included significant roster movement. After being designated for assignment in early 2025, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays and later spent time on the injured list, including a 60-day stint that limited his availability. Following his return, he was again designated for assignment, cleared waivers, and ultimately elected free agency on November 6. That sequence opened the door for his latest opportunity with Los Angeles. The Angels’ interest comes as their bullpen continues to rank among the least effective in the league. Entering the move, the unit carried a 5.41 ERA—second-worst in the American League—along with one of the highest walk rates in Major League Baseball. While Faedo is not expected to immediately solve those issues, the organization views him as a potential depth option who could contribute if he regains consistency and health during his time in the minors.