Wade LeBlanc DFA’d; Jarrett Grube called up …
By Alden Gonzalez
Angels left-hander Wade LeBlanc was designated for assignment on Saturday, one day after a bullpen-saving performance in a 9–5 loss to the A’s, and called up right-hander Jarrett Grube to take his place on the roster.
LeBlanc, out of options, gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings on Friday night in relief of Garrett Richards, who allowed five runs before recording the third out of the first inning. Now the Angels risk losing LeBlanc off waivers, unable to send him back down to Triple-A unless 29 other teams pass up a chance to acquire him.
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Grube, 32, has a 3.52 ERA in 11 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake, posting a 1.14 WHIP and a 2.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 61 1/3 innings. In the Major Leagues for the first time, Grube was a 10th-round Draft pick by the Rockies in 2004, spent half a season in independent ball, was in the Mariners organization two years and was acquired by the Angels as a Minor League in July 2012.
Grube has a 4.14 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and a 2.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his professional career.
It’s a tough break for LeBlanc — and may end up being a tough break to the Angels if they lose him — but he was basically out of commission to the Angels for the next four days because he threw 94 pitches. The Angels could’ve tried to bide their time with a six-man bullpen until then, especially since they’re off on Monday and are pushing back Matt Shoemaker (starting C.J. Wilson, Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs, respectively, in the three-game Houston series from Monday to Wednesday).
But apparently felt they needed that extra length right away.
— Alden
