Angels sign free agent pitcher Doug Fister

As recently reported by SB Nation’s own Chris Cotillo, the Angels have signed free agent pitcher Doug Fister. The deal is still pending a physical, and there are no other details on how much they Halos are giving him.

Fister was last with the Houston Astros, where he had a 4.64 ERA and 5.7 K/9 in 180.1 innings pitched. He’s not the most dominant or game-changing arm, hence why he was still a free agent in May, but he also isn’t that bad at all. If he were to have been on the Angels last season, he would’ve been their best starting pitcher besides Matt Shoemaker.

With the injuries to Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs still causing some serious speculation, and the Halos trying to patch up that starting rotation with some random arms at times, he’d definitely be a good plug-and-play at the #5 starter spot, able to eat up innings with aplomb...just the way Billy Eppler likes it.

We’ll update as more details on this signing emerge.

Update: Fister will receive a $1.75 million base salary should he appear in the majors with $1.2 million incentives based on games started and appearances.

He will face hitters in the Angels’ complex in Arizona, then report and pitch for AAA Salt Lake.