NOVEMBER 26: Meyer has been placed on unconditional release waivers, the club announced, while Fernandez has become a free agent after clearing waivers himself.
NOVEMBER 21: The Angels announced that they’ve designated right-hander Alex Meyer for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired left-hander Dillon Peters. The Halos have also requested unconditional release waivers on infielder Jose Miguel Fernandez, who was designated for assignment yesterday.
Meyer, 29 in January, was once a first-round pick of the Nationals (2011) and, for years, was regarded as one of the game’s elite pitching prospects. However, a series of shoulder injuries throughout his time with the Nationals, Twins and Angels has derailed that promising career. The former Kentucky standout underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in that problematic right shoulder last September and was said by the team to have suffered a setback in his recovery earlier this month.
Meyer, acquired by the Angels along with Ricky Nolasco in a trade that sent Hector Santiago and Alan Busenitz to Minnesota, has thrown just 95 1/3 big league innings. He’s posted a 4.63 ERA with 10.1 K/9 against 5.9 BB/9. He’s also notched a 3.52 ERA in parts of nine minor league seasons while averaging better than 10 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
baseball1600
This dude has great stuff! Orioles or Royals are sure to pick him up just because they can.
txtgab
Lets see what Elias does, the old F.O I knew there would be no shot at getting a guy like this. This could be the first true 40 man crunch Elias has seen, I wonder who’s first on the 40 block, I’d think its Caleb/Susac
Long Duc Dong
Bum shoulder doubt it
MetsYankeesRedSox
1600 = dweeb
3rdStrikeLooking
MYRS = life failure
pinstripes17
He has good strikeout numbers, best of luck to him on the comeback!
kdub53
I hope he somehow can stay or get back with the halos. I liked watching him pitch but he is extremely injury prone. And, as we all know, the entire rotation has already gone through it as far as being on the shelf. We need pitchers that have a healthy track record.
Frisco500
I hope he can find his spot and stay healthy
User 4245925809
He’s a Boras guy (was at least) so will probably have a list of demands ready at the hip.. 40 man roster spot and all sorts of other goodies.
Lefty Grove’s right hand
That looked like a good trade for the Angels at first.
pinstripes17
It was bad for both teams, every pitcher in that trade failed.
mateodh
What’s up with JMF? I know he’s too old to put much stock in his minor league #s, but he came in with a great track record in Cuba and it doesn’t look like he did anything in AAA to disprove himself.
J. C. Hahne
seemed ok even with the Angels. Not worse than Pujols in any case.
pinstripes17
yeah no sure about that, he looked like a solid bat during his brief stay in the majors.
frankiegxiii
Wondering the same here, has anyone heard anything about behavioral issues?
antibelt
Just a numbers crunch victim.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
He’s a solid hitter, but he’s not a good defender so he has to slide to a position that doesn’t do him any favors. His power numbers in the minors were aided by a combination of hitter friendly environments and experience. So he’s a solid hitter for a position that calls for above average offense. Plus that position continues to be devalued. He seems like he has to find a team that is ok with a bench value with little versatility.
martras
I doubt Meyer clears waivers. In fact, I’d be pretty shocked. There’s nothing to lose by making a waiver claim on him and seeing if he can pitch during spring training. He’s got a massive amount of upside equal to that of any rule 5 pick out there.
Maybe the Angels are looking to stir up some interest. I’m not 100% sure but I believe the waivers are revocable at this point in the season.
antibelt
Many guys don’t bounce back from that type of shoulder injury. In fact, unlike tj, it’s hard to predict a recovery timeline for major shoulder injuries.
martras
It’s not that hard to predict a recovery timeline. It’s hard to predict whether or not the recovery will ever happen. Meyer will be ready for Spring Training or his career will be officially over barring the extreme option of him undergoing yet another shoulder capsule repair surgery.
Since Meyer doesn’t cost anything and roster spots are open right now, it makes sense to make a claim. Worst case, if you acquire Meyer, you outright him before the season starts and you can stash him in AAA or release him and you’re not out anything. If it turns out Meyer has returned to form, it’s a steal.
Ungerdog
so, like he said, “it’s hard to predict a recovery timeline for shoulder injuries”. that is a true statement despite you stating, “Meyer will be ready for spring training or his career will be over blah blah…”
right, he’s ready (and healed) or not, it’s difficult to predict.
I grow weary of all the “correcting” peoples do on this site…
its_happening
Meyer’s 2017 numbers didn’t look bad. Worth a look in a bullpen if he can recover.
bkbkbk
This will go on his tombstone (minus 2017)
jdgoat
Hmm i wonder why they wouldn’t just try and stash Meyer in the minors.
Bart
They had to waive him to get him off the 40 man. They can always resign him to a minor league deal.
trout27
I believe that Meyer is out of options so he can’t be stashed in AAA. He also was put on release waivers by the Angels so if not claimed he becomes a free agent.
HalosHeavenJJ
Meyer recently suffered a setback in his injury rehab. This is a tough business, but he appears to be damaged goods at the moment. The upside is intriguing but he’s rarely healthy enough to pursue it.
martras
Didn’t realize he had yet another setback. 95%+ His career is over.
srdiaz1972
Angels need to sign Andrew Miller, Joe Kelly, trade for Julio Tehran and Yasiel Puig and let Kole learn 1st Base