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Sean Burnett Needs Tommy John, Shoemaker Back Up

Well that was fast

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Angels pitcher Sean Burnett left yesterday's game after retiring one batter. Today we learned that he has a torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament and will need the reconstructive procedure known as "Tommy John Surgery" where another ligament from a player's body is removed and transplanted to the throwing arm.

The Angels have called up Matt Shoemaker from AAA Salt Lake and scheduled him as the starting pitcher for tomorrow night's finale in Seattle. Wade Le Blanc will be the lefthander in the Angels bullpen but do not expect him to see any high leverage situations.

The long term bullpen solution begs for a competent lefty reliever. LeBlanc is starting pitching depth. WWJD? What Will (Angels General Manager) Jerry (Dipoto) Do?

Was there anyone passionately advocating that the Angels re-sign Scott Downs?

Is there a left-handed reliever in our minor league system that you want to stake the season on, well not "The Season" but a heck of an important portion of high leverage moments in the season ahead?