Rather than call up a minor league pitcher to spot-start on Saturday, the Angels are unleashing the bullpen.
Blessed with Jered Weaver's seven Innings Pitched on Friday, the Angels bullpen is fresh. Joe Smith and Huston Street each pitched an inning. Mike Morin and Kevin Jepsen warmed up at times but did not enter the game.
Fernando Salas, Jason Grilli and Cory Rasmus were idle on Friday. Rasmus relieved Wade LeBlanc on Monday and threw 51 pitches, allowing three hits and one walk in 2.2 IP against the Marlins.
Rasmus hasn't pitched since then. Mike Scioscia named him as Saturday night's starter. In addition to that rested bullpen, Hector Santiago will not throw his normal bullpen session on Saturday and will almost certainly pitch in the game at some point.
If Rasmus, Santiago and Morin can combine for six innings, Grilli, Salas and Jepsen can probably cobble together two innings to get the game to Smith and Street. If it is a blowout either way look for Yoslan Herrera to appear with a mop.
This is the echo of the Garrett Richards injury. The Angels won the game in which he was injured and lost the game he would have started Monday. There are five more of these holes to fill this season.