Angels Sign Hunter Strickland To Minor League Deal

This article breaks down the Angels’ latest bullpen move. It details the signing of veteran reliever Hunter Strickland to a minor-league contract, his winding career, and what the move might say about Anaheim’s approach to late-inning depth this offseason.

At 37, Strickland brings a ton of big-league experience and a familiar presence to a bullpen that’s welcomed several veteran arms lately. The club has added some big-name relievers who could shape usage patterns in 2026, and Strickland fits right in.

Angels sign veteran reliever Hunter Strickland to a minor-league deal

The Angels just added a trusted right-hander to their depth chart in a non-roster arrangement. This move could pay off at different points during a long MLB season.

Strickland signed a minor-league pact, so there’s room for a spring training audition and maybe a midseason call-up if his stuff plays at the highest level again. For Anaheim, this is another small addition meant to bolster a relief corps that’s leaned on veteran arms all winter.

Strickland offers late-inning experience and some versatility. He could work as a multi-inning reliever or step in during high-leverage spots, depending on how the roster shakes out in spring and what the team needs early on.

A career built in the bullpen, with Giants and Angels

Strickland debuted with the San Francisco Giants in 2014. He quickly became a bullpen staple, delivering 226 innings with a sub-3.00 ERA over five seasons in the Bay Area.

His peak came in 2018, when he notched a career-best 14 saves. That year was also memorable for a broken hand he got after punching a door following a blown save—sometimes emotions just get the better of you.

His time in San Francisco cemented him as a trusted late-inning arm who could miss bats and handle high-pressure moments. The path back into contending rosters has included stops with several teams, but his best fit has often been with the Angels.

That familiarity means something for a franchise that values veteran leadership and a steady hand in bullpen meetings. It’s especially useful as the team figures out its late-inning plan and how to mix in different right-handed relievers depending on matchups.

Recent seasons and the path back to Anaheim

Strickland’s journey after his Giants days has been winding, but he’s stuck with it. He first joined the Angels in 2021 via a trade from the Rays, though that stint was brief before a more permanent return in 2024.

That season, he logged a career-high 73 1/3 innings for the Angels. He surfaced again in 2025 after starting the year in the Rangers’ system.

A May promotion brought him back to Anaheim, and he appeared in 19 games, posting a 3.27 ERA across 22 innings. His year ended in July due to a shoulder injury—a reminder that durability questions never really go away for aging relievers.

Even with the health concerns, Strickland’s work ethic and past success with the Angels keep him on the team’s radar. If he can answer questions about velocity and command, this minor-league signing might actually turn into meaningful MLB innings in 2026.

Angels’ winter strategy adds veteran relievers

The Angels decided to bring in Strickland as part of a bigger effort to boost their bullpen with experienced arms. This winter, they also added Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, Drew Pomeranz, and Brent Suter.

Each of those guys brings their own style of reliability and matchup potential. The team’s focus on veteran depth shows a clear philosophy: build a bullpen full of interchangeable pieces who can handle late-game pressure and step in when injuries or heavy workloads hit.

Strickland’s role isn’t set in stone yet. He might compete for a typical right-handed setup spot, or maybe he’ll become a multi-inning option that modern bullpens crave.

The fact that Strickland keeps coming back to the Angels says something. The organization values steady, experienced arms who already know the clubhouse and the fan base.

• Depth and versatility for late-inning scenarios
• Injury insurance as the season unfolds
• Opportunity for younger arms to learn in the presence of a veteran
• Flexible usage depending on spring training performance and roster decisions

For fans and fantasy folks, this signing just feels like the Angels are finally getting serious about building a sturdy bullpen. Strickland’s story—a veteran who’s already thrived in Anaheim and still looks like a legit MLB reliever—adds some real intrigue to spring training and the team’s plans for 2026.

 
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