SEATTLE -- Only half of the Angels' current eight-man bullpen was on the Opening Day roster. The closer, Huston Street, is on the disabled list for the second time. The setup man, Joe Smith, has been traded to the Cubs. And three of their most important relievers -- J.C. Ramirez, Deolis Guerra and Jose Valdez -- were designated for assignment earlier this season.
It has all equated to a volatile, unreliable bullpen for Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who hasn't been able to establish roles for any of his relievers. On Saturday, he watched Valdez and Guerra surrender four seventh-inning runs in an 8-6 loss to the Mariners, giving his relievers 16 earned runs over their last 20 innings.